SOMERVILLE, MA: Mary Helen DeCosta, 89, died Thursday March 13, at the Pleasant Valley Nursing Center in Derry, NH.
Mrs. DeCosta was born in Cambridge, MA on August 10, 1918 a daughter of the late John S. and Mary G. (Braga) Manita. Mrs. DeCosta resided in Somerville, MA for most of her life before moving to Derry just a few weeks ago.
Mrs. DeCosta was employed as an office worker at Houghton-Mifflin Company in Boston for 26 years. Mrs. DeCosta was a 1936 graduate of Somerville High School and a founding member of the Somerville Community Baptist Church.
Mrs. DeCosta is survived by a son Douglas J. DeCosta and his wife Maya of Londonderry, NH, three grandchildren, Joseph D. DeCosta and his wife Dee Dee of Las Vegas, NV, David J. DeCosta and his wife Katosha of Canton, PA and Jennifer L. DeCosta of Derry; 1 great-grandson Brenden D. DeCosta of Canton, PA; one sister Edith DeLage of Arlington, MA and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Joseph DeCosta and her brother John S. Manita, Jr.
A memorial service will be held Saturday March 22 at 11 A.M. at the Somerville Community Baptist Church, College Avenue, Somerville. There are no calling hours. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch Street, Derry is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The Komen Breast Cancer Fund Massachusetts Affiliate, care of: Donations, PO Box 845037, Boston, MA 02284-5037