Irene Mansfield: Modest Life Leads to Lasting Legacy

Irene Mansfield was a caring neighbor and gifted gardener during her 57 years in the Towson home she shared with husband Bill and after his death, with her sister Marie. Her treasured greenspace featured massive azaleas, flowering trees, irises, a koi pond and more, and was even featured in Southern Living Magazine.

The second garden Irene cultivated was one of good friends, whose growth she also fostered. Her philanthropy echoed this spirit. In life, Irene made a few modest gifts totaling $850 to the Baltimore Community Foundation. When she passed away in 2021, however, she left a $4 million bequest to support three organizations she cared deeply about: St. Ignatius Loyola Academy, St. Frances Academy and Everyman Theatre.

Irene and Marie grew up in Baltimore during the Great Depression with their single mother, a seamstress who gave Irene a strong work ethic. Irene was hired after high school by the family-owned insurance agency, W.S. Morsell & Co. to provide administrative support, but her contributions far exceeded this. The owners left the business to Irene upon retiring, and she and Bill took it over. Irene became known for advocating for her clients with insurers.

Irene’s business acumen and gardener’s eye for growth allowed her to leave a lasting legacy. The Baltimore Community Foundation could not be more grateful for Irene’s foresight—and that of many other legacy donors who are committed to building a better Baltimore, today and tomorrow.