Patty Costello of Scranton, Pa., one of the most successful women bowlers in history, died Thursday at VNA Hospice at Community Medical Center after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 62.

Born in Washington, D.C., daughter of the late William Joseph and Marjorie Moran Costello, Costello was one of the most dominant left-handed women in professional bowling in the 1970s and '80s when she won the majority of her 25 professional titles.

Despite the fact that she didn't take up the sport until she was 16, but she quickly made a name for herself after winning the 1970 Columbia 300 Open. Among her victories were the 1976 Women's U.S. Open and 1985 Ladies Pro Bowlers Tour Tournament of Champions titles. In 1976, she won seven events, setting a record for most titles earned in a year by a woman.

Costello, who frequently was confused with fellow competitor and right-handed California native Pat Costello, was named Woman Bowler of the Year by the Bowling Writers Association of America in 1972 and 1976.

Patty Costello was inducted into the Women's International Bowling Congress Hall of Fame in 1989 and she bowled her last professional tournament in 1993, finishing second in the WIBC Queens.

Costello retired from bowling to a career with the Community Medical Center in Scranton, where she was a transport driver.

Surviving are a brother, Daniel (Nancy) of Bowie, Md.; nephew William (Angela) of Okinawa, Japan; and her best friend and caregiver, Anne Mullen.

A memorial service was held Friday at the Neil W. Regan Funeral Home, 1900 Pittston Ave., Scranton. In accordance with her wishes, private services will be conducted by at St. Joseph's Church followed by private interment at Cathedral Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Hospice Inpatient Unit, Community Medical Center or the Lackawanna County Humane Society, 967 Griffin Pond Road, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.