Mrs. Ruth L. (Davis) Costa, 101, of New Bedford passed away in her home surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, December 26, 2017.
Born in Summit VA September 3, 1916, she was the daughter of the late John and Amanda Davis and the 11th child of 13. Mrs. Costa’s family owned a large farm in Spotsylvania County where all of the children worked during the year when they weren’t attending school or in the US service. They enjoyed country living and the abundance of fresh food which was harvested and cured on their farm. Mrs. Costa was married to Manuel E. Costa Sr. in 1941 and through this union had two children, Manuel E. Costa, Jr. and Jeanne Maria Costa. After she married, Mrs. Costa moved to New Bedford where she lived a long and fulfilled life with her family and many friends.
Mrs. Costa was formerly employed as a tire builder for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for over 30 years. At the same time, Mrs. Costa often worked as a domestic and a chef at the restaurant in Fairhaven MA, “The Anchor by the Sea”. In addition, when this country needed ship builders in the 1940’s, she worked as a riveter at the Quincy ship yard. In her earlier years she was an exceptional and award winning equestrian and after retiring from the Goodyear, she became an accomplished artist. “Miss Ruth” also enjoyed the last twenty years socializing with her friends and staff at both the Dartmouth Social Day Program and the Project Independence Program.
When Mrs. Costa lived in Princeton N.J. she was a mentee of the late and great Albert Einstein while he was a professor at Princeton University in the 1930’s. In addition, the late actor Philip Carey (One Life to Live) who had family in Padanaram, MA, had a deep respect and admiration for Mrs. Costa as well.
Mrs. Costa is survived by her daughter and caregiver, Jeanne M. Costa, son, Manuel E. Costa Jr. (Nancy), grandchildren Susan Saunders (Jerry), Mandi Costa, Manuel E. “Butch” Costa lll, Matthew Costa (Sandy), Michelle Tavares (Derek) great grandchildren, Bishop, Roman, Madison, Avery, Matthew Jr. and Nina, godchild Nicole Costa Freeman and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mrs. Costa is predeceased by her 12 siblings; her twin Ralph, Orlan, John, twins Ernest and Erin, twins Dempsey and Dimple Taliaferro, Leonard, Edith Richardson, Viola Richardson, Pauline Wright, and Nora Allemao. Ruth is also predeceased by her former husband, Manuel E. Costa Sr.
Visiting hours will be on Saturday, January 6th, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Her service will follow at 12:00 p.m. at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford.
For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com