Schmitz Funeral Homes

Saturday, March 31, 2018 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa. Born Jan. 15, 1950, in Norristown, Penn., the daughter of Benjamin and Rose (Marcelli) Costa. On December 2, 2000, she married Hughie Stambaugh in West Norriton, Penn.Survivors include her husband Hughie of Donnellson, Iowa; one daughter: Tracy (Joel Kriebel) Ferrizzi of Oreland, Penn.; one step-son: Justin Stambaugh of Philadelphia, Penn.; four grandchildren: Sgt. Patrick M. Cassidy, USMC of Jacksonville, N.C., Alyssa Rose Cassidy of Newton, N.J., Angel Noel Ferrizzi of Norristown, Penn., and Rachel Marie Ferrizzi of Norristown, Penn.; two step-granddaughters: Jewel Stambaugh of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Nia Stambaugh of Philadelphia, Penn.; three great-grandchildren: Gianna Joy Rosario of Newton, New Jersey, Benjamin Rosario IV of Newton, New Jersey and Giovanni Dominic Rosario of Newton, New Jersey.She was preceded in death by her parents.Bernadette was a 1967 graduate of the Upper Merion High School in King of Prussia, Penn.. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior and has been active in church for the last couple of decades, with current membership at the First Christian Church of Keokuk, Iowa. Other than the certainty of eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven, nothing brought her greater joy than spending time with her daughter and grandchildren, especially interactions of any kind with her BFF Alyssa Rose. She was tremendously proud of her 100 percent Italian heritage and was able to document her grandparents voyage from Italy to America as well as their path to becoming U.S. citizens. She enjoyed watching football and was a lifelong fan of the Philadelphia Eagles. She loved animals of all kinds and despised anyone who mistreated them. Her body has been entrusted to Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7, 2018 at First Christian Church, 3476 Main Street, Keokuk, Iowa with Pastor David Turner officiating. Burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials may be m... (Newton Press Mentor)