Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Costanzo, Goldienell

COSTANZO, Goldienell (Age 86) She was born on August 29, 1926 in Priest River, Idaho.

She graduated from Priest River High School yearning to be a helicopter pilot in the service… instead, she began her career in insurance.

She was named “Outstanding Agent of the Year” for the second consecutive year in 1983 and after 22 years, she retired from Fred S. James in 1989.

She loved golf (president of her golf club, the “Esmeralda Early Birds”), bowling (many 210 games), and traveling.

Until she retired, she had not been out of the Northwest.

She quickly rectified this by traveling to Germany to visit her daughter Candace and then Ireland and the British Isles, the country of her ancestors.

Camping was also a favorite, she couldn’t wait to get “on the road again” in the motorhome.

She and her daughter Sandy traveled to most of the National Parks from Banff to Mesa Verde together.

She was declared legally blind in 1999.

Never one to avoid a challenge she discovered she could still golf (with a spotter), joined Lilac Blind, started listening to books on tape, shopping became her hobby and she discovered Day Out for the Blind, an organization that provides transportation, an occasional lunch, and dancing every Friday for the blind.

This became her passion and her extended family.

For the last six years of her life, she was president of the association.

With a twinkle and a smile, she led and nurtured the group.

She loved the weekly dancing partly because she could wear her high heels.

When she retired, she also retired 40 plus pairs of 3” high heel shoes.

But, with the discovery of Day Out, the heels came out of retirement too!

Her daughters were always her number one priority.

She was very proud of them and never passed up an opportunity to tell someone.

Always a fighter, Goldie was still looking forward to her seventh year as president of Day Out when she passed away on March 26, 2013.

She is missed every day and will be remembered for her spirit and kindness, as well as her strength of character.

She is survived by her two daughters, Sandy Rudolph (Chad) and Candace Padilla (Hector); five grandchildren, Ty Rudolph, Kyle Rudolph, Coby Rudolph, Vanessa Padilla and Samantha Padilla; two great-grandchildren, Tait Hunter and Marcus Burk; and a brother, Phillip Quinn (Bernita).

She was preceded in death by her two brothers, Edward Quinn and Jack Quinn.

A Celebration of her life will be held at the Day Out for the Blind facility, on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Day Out for the Blind, 1502 E Holyoke Ave, Spokane, WA 99217-7524.