The Cecilia J. Costa Educational Foundation

Cecilia J. Costa passed away peacefully on April 12, 2025 at the age of 92.  Cecilia was born in Irvington, California to immigrant parents, Allois Schneider and Maria Wiest, both of Germany.  As a teenager, Cecilia met Manuel Costa and thereafter had 8 children in 9 years, during which time they moved often. Eventually, they settled down in the area of Tracy, California, where Cecilia worked simultaneously as a bookkeeper for their family businesses and as an accountant at the Defense Depot.  While on vacation in 1982, Cecilia and Manuel purchased a ranch in Kooskia, Idaho and embarked on a new chapter of life working in the cattle business on what would come to be known to their entire family as “The Ranch.”  Although the early years of building their cattle business came with a great deal of growing pains, Cecilia would eventually cherish the journey and would reminisce often about “life on The Ranch.”  With the multiplication of grandchildren over the years, she eventually came to be known universally as “Granny.” Cecilia had a heart full of grace that was open to everyone, and was always willing to offer a helping hand. Cecilia loved traveling, hiking, swimming, camping, reading, bird watching, playing games, working puzzles, big hugs, and ice cream — but always valued wisdom and knowledge, leading to her desire to leave a legacy that would inspire others to pursue opportunities in education which she never had.