Hawaii swimmer won
top honors

Former Kailua resident Charlotte I. Costello was on the All-American masters swimming team for 17 consecutive years in the 1970s and 1980s. She was inducted into the Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame in 2003.

Costello died Sunday in Lynbrook, N.Y., at the age of 82.

"She won numerous championships, including six international masters swimming championships," said Richard Tanabe, board member of the Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame. "She held four world records for her age group. She was very well known among swimmers here and elsewhere."

Costello was "a good swimmer and a fun swimmer," said Diane Stowell, a friend and fellow member of the Waikiki Swim Club. "She was very competitive; she participated in every ocean and pool swimming event she could. She was at the top of her swimming from (ages) 55 to 70."

A stroke ended Costello's swimming career, but "she would come in her wheelchair to watch" swim meets, Stowell said.

Costello and her husband, John, moved to New York six years ago.

She is also survived by sons John, Thomas, James, William and Kevin; brothers William and Arthur; sisters Virginia and Frances; and 11 grandchildren.

Services and burial were Thursday in New York. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Anchor Program Fund, 630 Lido Boulevard, Lido Beach, NY 11561.