In Memoriam: Michelle Suyen Costello Howard

Michelle Suyen Costello Howard, beloved wife, mother and friend, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2015 at Adler Care Center in Aldie, Virginia. An 11-year resident of the town of Vienna, Virginia, she is survived by her husband Daniel and children Nate (11) and Allie (9), sister Kim Costello of Raleigh, North Carolina and grandparents Edwin and Arlene O’Shea of New Jersey.

Michelle was born near Seoul, Korea on November 1, 1974. She spent her childhood in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in social work, where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She then graduated with a Master’s degree in social work from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She earned her LCSW soon after graduate school.

Her degree in social work allowed her to do what she did best-help people. She worked for CASE (Center for Adoption Services and Education) and as a social worker with Korea Homeland Tours—a company which she eventually owned. Michelle herself was adopted as an infant from Korea and made many meaningful connections there.

Many Vienna-area children will remember “Mrs. Howard” as their pre-school teacher. She taught 3 year-olds at Wesley Preschool for 4 years.

Her greatest job was being mother to Nate and Allie. She was a reading volunteer, room mom, Girl Scout leader and PTA treasurer. Her children were her sun and moon and she lived to make them happy.

Michelle met her husband Dan in 1999 in Arlington, VA. They celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in Hawaii at a vow renewal with their children. His love for Michelle was displayed for all during her 21 month long illness. She called him “her rock” and loved him with all of her heart.

Michelle was a beautiful person with an even more beautiful smile. She could find any reason to celebrate life. She will be remembered for her perseverance, kindness and love of family and friends. Michelle will be greatly missed.

A Prayer Service will be held at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. 8601 Wolftrap Rd., Vienna, VA on May 7, 2015 at 10:30 am. Children welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nate and Allie’s college funds at the following link: https://www.ugift529.com/content/home.html

Access Code for Nate’s fund is: K6Z-55P. Access Code for Allie’s fund is: C6N-948.