Career
She was one of the best female bowlers of the 1970s and 1980s. Born to William Joseph and Marjorie Moran Costello in Washington, District of Columbia, Costello did not begin bowling until the age of 16, but she quickly made a name for herself in the sport, winning the Columbia 300 Open in 1970. Over her professional bowling career, she earned 25 professional titles, including three first-place finishes at the PWBA National tournament (1971, 1972, 1976) and three victories at the United States. Women"s Open (1972, 1976, 1980).
(The record was tied by Carolyn Dorin-Ballard in 2001, although Dorin-Ballard competed in eight more events) Costello was named Female Bowler of the Year by the Bowling Writer"s Association of America in 1972 and 1976.
Costello"s career suffered a setback in 1977, when her father suddenly died of a heart attack while watching her provide commentary for a bowling telecast. Afterwards, she experienced depression and anxiety attacks for several years.
She told Bowling Digest in 2002, "I was so ultrasensitive to everything around me that I could feel the hair on my arms standing straight up, and no one could comprehend that. I would go to doctors and tell them my symptoms, and they"d look at me like I was ready for the psych ward.
Kelly Kulick and Liz Johnson have since joined that exclusive group, with three United States. Open titles each.
In 1989, Costello was inducted into the Women"s International Bowling Congress Hall of Fame. Costello retired from bowling and began a career with the Community Medical Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where she was a transport driver. "Bowling was my job then
This is my job now.
In both cases, I"ve always been happy to meet people, talk to them, and get them feeling good to be around me", she told Bowling Digest. Patty Costello died of pancreatic cancer on April 16, 2009. She was age 61, and residing in Scranton.