Contestabile, Betty J. (nee Clark)
November 7, 1937-March 31, 2024
Betty Jean Contestabile (nee Clark) aged 86, passed peacefully into to arms of her heavenly Father on Resurrection Day at the Josie Harper Hospice House in Omaha, Nebraska. Betty was born as the youngest of four children in St. Louis, Missouri to Roy and Stella (nee Hahler) Clark. She was a proud resident of St. Louis for most of her life but had recently moved to Omaha, Nebraska to be closer to her daughter. Betty was a 1956 graduate of Southwest High School and enjoyed a long career at Dillard’s Department Store (formerly known as Stix. Baer and Fuller.)
Although Betty held numerous titles from beauty pageants as a young woman, her most cherished title was that of wife and mother. She raised a total of five children, including a much-loved niece and nephew she considered a son and daughter.
Following many years of widowhood after the death of her husband Robert J. Whelan, Betty agreed to a blind date with a recently widowed St. Louis Police Officer, Clarence A. Contestabile. They soon married and enjoyed 35 fun-filled years together until Clarence passed in 2023.
Betty will be remembered as a strong, yet fun-loving, woman who was always ready for adventure. Her quick wit and ready smile will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
In addition to being proceeded in death by her parents, husbands and siblings, Betty grieved the passing of her cherished son, Dale Joseph Pritchard, in 2005. She is survived by daughters Cynthia S. Salzmann (John) and Karen A. Muench (Mark) as well as wards James G. Clark (Laura) and Donna M. Koelz, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Josie Harper Hospice House in Omaha, Nebraska. https://hospicehouseomaha.org
Service to be held April 8, 2024 at Kutis South County Chapel, 5255 Lemay Ferry Road, Mehlville, Missouri.
Visitation: 9:00-10:30 AM
Service: 11:00 AM
Burial to follow service at Sunset Memorial Park.
Luncheon: Royale Orleans, 2801 Telegraph Rd.
Betty and I became friends over 30 years ago. We married cousins and that gave us family ties. We loved each other like sisters right away. Even though she was a few years older than me, we still had some mutual friends from High School, hers was Southwest and mine was Roosevelt High. We had mutual favorite restaurants and shops and so much more in common from our younger days growing up in South St. Louis. I have many photos of Clarence, Betty, me and Geno together. We did so many things together, like celebrate Super Bowl at their home, we celebrated St. Patrick’s Day and also many dinners at their home and many dinners at our home out on our deck. Betty used to love to come over and have dinner on the deck overlooking the lake. We went to dinner together all the time at various restaurants on the “Hill” and all over St. Louis. We were quite the foursome. Sometimes Betty would call me just to talk or I would call her. We laughed together and cried together, but usually ended up with a smile. Boy, am I going to miss her. We already miss Clarence, Geno really misses his cousin Clarence, and now we have to say farewell to our Betty. The dictionary describes a friend as “A person whom one knows, likes and trusts”. That pretty much sums up our feelings for Betty. Sometime, when I’m sitting out on the deck this summer, I will raise a glass of wine and toast my friend, because she will be there with me, in my heart forever.
Thank you so mich for this beautiful remembrance, Lola!