Betty Contino, a giant in empowering Baltimore’s Catholic school students, dies at 81

She’s been described as heart-driven, determined and joyful – even the “Dolly Parton of Baltimore’s Catholic schools.”

Betty Contino, a diminutive-yet-larger-than-life presence in Baltimore education and longtime chairwoman and chief executive officer of the Women’s Education Alliance (WEA), died Aug. 31 at 81. Through WEA, she helped thousands of students attend Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, while also supporting teachers, school leaders and the broader needs of the schools she served.

“Betty Contino’s life was marked by extraordinary generosity, faith and selfless service,” Archbishop William E. Lori said. “Together with her husband, Fran, she devoted decades to strengthening the Catholic Church and Catholic education in Baltimore, leaving a legacy that will continue to bless generations of students, families and faithful. We mourn her passing with deep gratitude for her unwavering commitment and we entrust her to God’s loving care.”

Born in Harrisburg, Pa., Contino became a lifelong Baltimore resident. She attended St. Joseph School in Fullerton for grade school and later graduated from a public high school. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business from what is now Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore.

Her professional career began at Fairlanes, where she rose through the ranks to become a vice president of the nationwide company. After more than 20 years in the corporate world, Contino retired and redirected her energy toward serving Baltimore at the grassroots level.

Among the causes that moved her deeply was homelessness. She made sure shelters across the city had ponchos, socks and boots for those in need. She also assisted Catholic Charities in establishing Christopher Place Academy in Baltimore.

A parishioner of the Catholic Community of St. Francis Xavier in Hunt Valley, Contino was recruited by Jennifer Hammand, director of grants for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, to expand the outreach begun by Catholic philanthropist Mary Catherine Bunting. In 2012, Contino led a group of 20 women in forming WEA, which provides scholarships to boys and girls whose families lack the typical means to afford a Catholic education. Contino led the organization for 14 years.

Under her leadership, WEA’s work grew beyond scholarships to include classroom technology, summer reading initiatives, playgrounds and school supplies. The organization currently serves Archbishop Borders Catholic School in Highlandtown, Cardinal Shehan School in Northwood, Mother Mary Lange Catholic School in Lexington Terrace and Bishop Walsh School in Cumberland. 

WEA received the Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic schools’ partnership award last year, which Contino accepted at the annual Catholic schools convocation.

“We‘re so proud of the schools we serve,” Contino said. “We have had the privilege of serving them and the children for these many years. It’s a blessing to partner.”

The impact of Contino’s work was especially evident in the relationships she formed with students and educators. Valerie Sandoval, WEA’s current president, met Contino when Sandoval was principal of Archbishop Borders.

“Betty never saw our children simply as recipients of scholarships or programs,” Sandoval said. “She saw them as individuals. She wanted to know who they were, what they needed, where they were struggling, and what we could do to help them succeed. She believed in them.”

Sandoval said Contino also took a hands-on interest in developing Catholic school teachers and leaders, working directly with faculty and WEA team members.

“Betty has left an imprint on me that I don’t think I could fully recognize until now,” Sandoval added. “She taught me to look beyond the immediate need and see beyond it.”

Roxanne Fiddler, director of the archdiocesan Partners in Excellence Scholarship Program and a former WEA colleague, recalled Contino’s ability to turn concern into action. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many families lacked the technology needed for remote learning, Contino made sure students had what they needed.

“A lot of families did not have access to computers, internet or personal devices so that they could continue their schooling as the world shut down,” Fiddler said. “Betty got all of the children Chromebooks so that she could ensure that their Catholic education was going to continue during COVID.”

Dr. Barney Wilson, principal of Cardinal Shehan, called Contino “an angel walking the earth.”

“Her heart was bigger than Texas, Pennsylvania and Maryland put together,” he said. “Betty knew that there are some serious gaps between what people have. And a lot of the gaps can be seen culturally. She believed in putting in place the resources, including finances, to make sure that this school and the students had what they needed to be successful in life.”

For some families, Contino’s commitment became a decades-long personal relationship. She met Orlyn Gomez when he was 3 years old and – after learning that he was being raised by a single mother, Rebecca Drenning – stayed invested in his education as he grew up. Gomez now attends the University of Maryland, College Park.

Drenning and Gomez had planned to meet with Contino in the weeks ahead, continuing a friendship that had begun when Gomez was a young child.

“She was just so invested in Orlyn and what he was doing, everything going on with school. She insisted, ‘Come on, bring him to dinner!’” Drenning remembered.

“You can just tell by the way her body language was, the faces she made, the eye contact she kept, (that) her heart was just really pure,” an emotional Gomez added, noting that Contino believed that doing God’s work and touching lives is no accident.

“She was the most genuine person I know,” he said.

Tonya Martin, office and financial aid manager of Mother Mary Lange Catholic School, saw countless connections Contino personally made with students and families. 

“She would be more interested in their family, their well-being, their academics, where they’re going,” she said. “She would follow that student out of Mother Mary Lange’s door to wherever they’re going. The next step, she was there.”

Contino is survived by her husband, to whom she was married for 33 years; daughters Jeanne and Robin; and five grandchildren.

A visitation will be held at Ruck Funeral Home in Towson Sept. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Sept. 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be offered at 11 a.m. Sept. 17 at St. Joseph in Cockeysville. 

In lieu of flowers, Contino’s family encourages memorial gifts to the Women’s Education Alliance.

Also see:

Contino has done plenty of ‘something’ for Baltimore Archdiocese city scholars (2017)

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