Angeline T. Costner

ANGELINE T. COSTNER, was born in Ponce, PR to the late Gueseppi Milano and Amparo Rivera.  She departed this life on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Angeline was united in holy matrimony to the late Jack O'Brian Costner.  From this union, 12 children were born.  She was affectionately known to family, friends and the community as "Mama." 

Angeline was educated in the Buffalo Public Schools.  After the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, she took the civil service exam and became an Air Raid Warden.  She taught dance at Angie's School of Dance located at the Willert Park Community Center.

Angeline was employed at the Community Action Organization for over 38 years, until she retired at the age of 82.  She pursued a career in nutrition and was instrumental in starting the first food pantry and creating a community garden, establishing an Annual Harvest Day, where the community invited to enjoy the harvest.  As a dedicated member of her community, she was the 1st African American to receive the "Good Neighbor Award" from former Buffalo Mayor Frank A. Sedita.  On August 23, 2014, Mayor Byron Brown and Erie County Legislator Betty Jean Grant proclaimed that day in the City of Buffalo and Erie County as Mother Angeline Costner Day.

Angeline is preceded in death by her husband of over 60 years, Jack Costner; her beloved children, Donald, Leonard, Jacqueline and Joyce.

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving children: six sons, David (Susie), Jack (Pat), Floyd, Jerome (Wilma), Anthony and Carlos;  two daughters, Rosetta and Amparo (Anthony); over 300 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grand children and  great-great-great grandchildren.  She also leaves to mourn a host of other family. 

Family will receive friends Wednesday, May 4, 2016, 10am at Greater Refuge Temple of Prayer, 943 Jefferson Ave.  Funeral to follow at 11am.  Interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery-Buffalo, NY.

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