ANGELICA HENDRIX COSTANZO

1990-2017

September 24, 1990 – November 28, 2017 Angelica passed away, unexpectedly, on November 28, 2017 from progressive symptoms of Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA)--a neuromuscular disorder. She was 27 years old.

Angelica is survived by her parents Santino and Jill Costanzo; her brother Nicolas Costanzo; her extended family, including: Maria, Charles, Raffaela, Mario and Antonio Oeler; Pete and Rose Caliguiri; Carmen Caliguiri; Wallace and Carol Hendrix; Sheila Hendrix; and Arlene, Chuck, Chris and Connor O’Malley.

Angelica thrived in social and academic settings. Her elementary years at Lowery were instrumental in creating lifelong friends. She also leaves many friends and loved ones from her years at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton SEEDS program. The students, teachers, and staff were vital in helping Angelica cope with the changes coming in her life. At Aragon Middle School, Angelica was blessed by even more angels who helped her manage the onset of FA symptoms. During these years, all our family, friends, and the Aragon Family helped to raise over a $100K for Angelica’s Research Fund--a Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) event.

MDA was instrumental in helping her family navigate the way through FA. Texas Children’s Hospital and Camp for All gave Angelica hope for the future, and priceless, memorable fun in the present. With her infectious smile and easy laugh, those who had the pleasure of meeting Angelica stayed in her life.

Angelica graduated Langham Creek High School with the kind and loving help of students, teachers, and staff. In May 2017, Angelica graduated from the Lone Star College with a Liberal Arts degree. The Cy-Fair Campus was instrumental to Angelica’s academic success. She loved school and connected with so many people at Lone Star College. Despite the impact of her diagnosis on her physical capacities, Angelica continued to wield her cognitive strength through her intellectual curiosity and passion for learning, reading, and writing. It was while contemplating the Writer’s Program at University of Houston that Angelica was diagnosed with pneumonia.

All who shared Angelica’s life knew her ever-present positive disposition, beautiful smile, loving eyes, infectious laugh, gentle heart, keen sense of values, ethics, love of reading, scary movies, and love of good food (a true Italian). She loved teasing her brother, family celebrations, and holding her dad’s hand. Angelica gave us all strength and motivation to do our best and keep a positive attitude--regardless of our circumstances.

Angelica was a social butterfly. She always loved to be with family and have a good time. In her honor, we will embrace the entire Holiday Season even though our hearts are broken and we miss her terribly. Angelica handled FA with grace and strength. She was our miracle and gift from God for 27 years. She will be our Angel forever.

“There are only two ways to live your life: as though nothing is a miracle, or as though everything is a miracle.” -Albert Einstein

A Mass will be held for Angelica on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 5PM: Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church 6646 Addicks Satsuma Road Houston, TX 77084 In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to MDA: MDA Houston Office 11767 Katy Freeway, Suite 750 Houston, TX 77079