Costello Receives 2026 Martha Washington Award

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – St. George’s Cemetery is known for its picturesque landscape, including a lofty hill and majestic Hudson River backdrop, surrounded by distinct trees that hover over its impressive 7.4 acres, planted back in the early 19 century, providing shade and direction to carriage and pedestrian paths. Out of the numerous, over century old deciduous trees, one in particular holds the heart of Catherine Costello.

“In the mid-1980’s one of the trees came done and hit some gravestones on our family plot,” recalled Costello. “A cousin of mine said to say something about it, and before I knew it, I was on the Cemetery Committee.”

That catalyst incident in Costello’s life sparked a deeply revered and highly accomplished, soon-to-be 47 year tenure as a volunteer at St. George’s, the second oldest-established in 1838- cemetery in Newburgh. The long-time Vails Gate Post Office worker has dedicated close to five decades of her life preserving and sharing the rich history and timeless stories of those buried at the 147 Washington Street site in the City of Newburgh. Whether it has been by guiding people researching their family trees and extremely conscientiously adding pertinent cemetery specifics to genealogical websites- such as billiongraves.com – spearheading critical youth history programs, teaming up with veteran organizations as well as the Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands, or adding intriguing tidbits of information to the Church newsletter, “Cemetery Life,” Costello has poured countless hours, along with her heart and soul, into keeping the Cemetery relevant and accessible to all.

For all of these actions, along with her unrivaled passion for community as well as unwavering belief in the goodness of people and constant intent on positivity and uplifting, Costello was celebrated Sunday afternoon at Washington’s Headquarters at the General’s Lady Annual Program, which included a “Martha Washington: A Timeless Woman” talk by Matthew Weigman, focusing upon her time alongside her husband at his Newburgh headquarters from 1782-1783. Before that chock-filled of intriguing information presentation on the woman who bears the Award’s name took place, the standing-room-only crowd paid tribute to someone whose altruism and commitment to community and making a difference in the preservation of Hudson Valley history have had a priceless impact on the innumerable lives she has touched.

“Catherine is a connector, who is always positive, sharing good news and pushing people toward doing community service,” Mary McTamaney, Newburgh City Historian, said in her introduction of Costello about Costello’s treasured authenticity, adding commentary about her always friendly, welcomed face behind the post office counter. “She is someone who exemplifies, ‘Bloom where planted,’ who has a heart-beyond regular duties- for community service, investing so much time learning stories about the St. George’s Cemetery, lobbying for the dead in care, setting up for Memorial and Veterans Day; she truly reminds us how much life can be celebrated and enjoyed when we look back.”

For Costello that joy of mining out the past is rooted in connection: to the vital past, the present and future. It’s a beautiful tapestry, reminding us of our commonality as well as unique essences, awakening us to the interwoven threads each one of us constantly has to history.

“I thank you all for being history in my life; when we are bonded together, we can move forward,” said Costello, who was deeply touched being named a recipient of the Award, presented each March during Women’s History Month, entrusting her to be a part of the incredible legacy of women forming the contingent of past Martha Washington recipients, many on hand. “I’m so grateful to my family, friends and neighbors, who are such an important part of life; we are all on each other’s streets in life, and being in community means being in communion.”

And in so many ways, those inextricable links trace back to one tree that will forever have Costello’s heart.

“That tree helped me build branches to community,” reflected the visibly touched Costello. “I will always be so grateful for it and everything it led to.”