Mary Ann Cantino
Mary Ann Cantino was born in Massachusetts, but that fact has not stopped her from becoming an extraordinary Oaker! After attending high school at North Cambridge Catholic in Cambridge MA, Mary Ann matriculated at Graham Junior College in Boston, MA, receiving an Associate’s Degree in Secretarial Sciences in 1961. Upon graduation, she was hired by the college and ran the office there until 1968, when she left to raise her family. Mary Ann was awarded a certificate of Merit by Graham Junior College upon completion of her employment there. After giving birth to 3 children, Debbie, Tracey, and Mark, she moved to New Jersey in 1969 and lived there for 4 years before returning to New England by moving to Coventry, RI in 1973.
Mary Ann embarked on a new career when she began to work in a four-hour position in the night school at the Coventry Career and Technical Center. In 1980, after 3 years in this position, Mary Ann was hired by the Coventry Public Schools as a clerk in the Middle School under then Principal Ed Lombardi.
In 1987 Mary Ann was transferred to the High School to work with Jim DiPrete. Mary Ann threw herself into the job of managing the office, handling parents and students, and screening contacts for faculty and administration alike. In addition, she became a master of the budget, helping the administration and staff to use the allocated funds effectively. There was always a heads up about freezes or problems that might arise in the future and a step that one might take to avoid the problem.
Mary Ann demonstrated her true value when Jim DiPrete decided to retire in 1993. The next several years were punctuated by a litany of principals and vice-principals whose stay was too short, or who’s had skills that were not up to the task, and who should never have been hired at all. Through it all, Mary Ann was like a rock! She knew the parents, kids, and teachers and had a handle on the budget. She became the go-to person at Coventry High School. Providing the stability needed to navigate through the rough waters, Mary Ann demonstrated diligence, courage, skill, and stamina just when everyone needed it. Her sense of humor helped everyone keep the problems in perspective. Without her skill and dedication, our school would have been in disarray.
The Coventry Public Schools are deeply indebted to Mary Ann for the extraordinary service she rendered to the students, parents, teachers, and administrators of Coventry High. Our debt to this remarkable Oaker can never be repaid.