Shelly Costello Nichols

Shelly Costello Nichols died in her home on July 9, 2015 at age 53, after living over three years with colon cancer. Her death was just like her life, surrounded by the people she loved. In her journey, she taught us all how to not only live, but how to die. Shelly encompassed all the qualities you would want in your own mother, daughter, and friend. She looked for the good in all people and she was accepting, non-judgmental and radiated a contagious spirit. Loving all people always came easy for her. Shelly was born on November 17, 1961 in Washington, DC and lived in Woodbridge and Dumfries, VA until 2001 when she moved with her family to Cross Lanes, West Virginia. Shelly worked as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) from 1988 until 2001 in settings that included Action in the Community Through Service (ACTS), Turning Points family violence program, and Prince William County Community Services Board in Virginia. From 2002 -2013, Shelly worked with Psychological Consultation and Assessment (PC&A) in Cross Lanes, WV. Shelly stated that she has loved each of her positions and all of the clients with whom she has worked; she has never felt like these opportunities were “jobs.” In 2014, Shelly fulfilled a life-long calling when she received a local pastor’s license; she was appointed as Associate Pastor in July 2014 at Cross Lanes United Methodist Church (CLUMC). Shelly said that from the very first day when she and her family first attended CLUMC in 2001, it became her spiritual home, and she considered everyone there to be part of her family. Shelly has always been a part of a large family. She is survived by her devoted husband David Nichols, her twin daughters Chelsea Costello and Carly Costello Glover (along with Carly’s husband Richard), and her sons Philip, Peter and Luke Nichols. Shelly is also survived by her father Hilary “Pete” Costello, her brothers Brad (Terri), Jeff (Rona), and Steven (Cara), and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition, Shelly is survived by many close friends whom she considered part of her family. Shelly was preceded in death by her mother Beverly “Bev” Costello in 2004. Shelly’s family is forever grateful to her dear friend, Augie Ruotolo who provided loving care for her through this journey. Visitation hours will be held on Friday, July 31st from 1-3pm and 6-8pm at CLUMC, Cross, Lanes, WV. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, August 1st at 10:30am at CLUMC, followed by a reception in the Fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, Shelly requested that donations be made to the new audio visual upgrade initiative for CLUMC. Make your checks payable to CLUMC with “Shelly” in the memo line and mail to 5320 Frontier Drive, Cross Lanes, WV 25313. Donations may also be made in her memory to Believe Big, Inc. at 4821 Butler Road, Suite 1D, Glyndon, MD 21136 or online at www.believebig.org. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.tylermountainfuneralhome.com