A Loyalty That Transcends Time

Betty L. Busch’s fondness for the University as well as the drama program inspired her gift to Catholic University.

The Catholic University of America is honored to be a beneficiary of the estate of Betty L. Busch, J.D. This generous $50,000 bequest will tremendously benefit the University’s Department of Speech and Drama.

Just One Look (or Year), That’s All It Took!

In the late 1940s, with the encouragement of Father Albert H. Ottenweller, later auxiliary bishop of Toledo, then bishop of Steubenville, Betty began her higher education studies at Catholic University. Due to financial limitations, she was able to attend for only one year. That was all it took for her to become fond of the University, especially the drama program. Her fondness lasted for many years into the future.

Following her studies at Catholic University, Betty returned to her hometown and graduated from Ohio Northern University’s Pettit College of Law in 1960. Despite the obstacles and uncertain perceptions of women in the profession in the 1960s, Betty and her contemporaries pioneered opportunities for future generations of women as lawyers.

In 1965 she blazed new trails for female attorneys, becoming the first female judicial officer to serve in Montgomery County (Ohio) as an appointed referee (now referred to as a magistrate) in the domestic relations division of the Commons Pleas Court. From 1971 to 1993 Betty served her legal community as director of the Dayton Law Library Association.

We wish Betty had shared her passion for the University’s drama program while she was living. How wonderful it would have been to know her and to invite her back to enjoy student drama productions. It would also have been an honor to welcome her into the St. Thomas Aquinas Society, the University’s recognition forum for bequest intentions.

Please Do Not Let Your Heartfelt Intentions Be Left Unnoticed or Unappreciated

Simply complete and return this Bequest Intention form. This is not a legal document and can be revoked or modified at any time. If you have already included Catholic University in your future plans but have not yet told us, please let us know so we can properly thank you. Contact Isabel de la Puente at delapuente@cua.edu or 202-319-6914.