Jane "Mary" Gillern

(Mary) Jane Gillern (nee Burkhouse) passed away peacefully on November 21, 2017 surrounded by her children. Jane was born April 28, 1924, to the late Mamie Haggerty and Martin Burkhouse in Sparrows Point, MD. She lived in the Edgemere/Dundalk area all her life until 2013, before moving to Easton, MD. She attended Edgemere Elementary, Sparrows Point High School, and the University of Maryland College Park.
After college, she attended nurses training at the Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, and also worked at Catholic Charities on Cathedral Street in Baltimore. In 1949, she married the late Edward (Rip) M. Gillern and they had six children. He died in 1991. She was active in local politics, wrote a column, "On A Clear Day" in the Dundalk Eagle, and was an active parishioner at St. Rita's Catholic Church/Dundalk and St. Luke's Catholic Church/Edgemere. She was the Director of the Victory Villa Senior Center with the Baltimore County Department of Aging for 26 years, from which she retired in 1992. Throughout her life, her favorite pastimes included knitting, gardening, painting, writing, reading, watching "Seinfeld", and spending time with family.
She was the cherished mother of one son, (Edward) Michael Gillern, and his partner, Judi Belida, of Fort Myers, FL; and five daughters: the late Stacey Cumberland who died in 1993; Susie Pompa, and husband Vince, of Baltimore; Julie Gillern, and husband, Abhijit Dasgupta, of College Park; Mary Bilik, and husband Jim, of Delmar, NY; and Jane Cross, and husband Fred, of Easton, MD. Jane was the adored grandmother of nine grandchildren, all of whom called her NOLIE: Travis Gillern; Kris Cumberland, and wife Renee; Molly Giannapolous, and husband Lou; Max and Lucy Pompa, Lena and Henry Bilik, Sam (deceased) and Charlie Cross. She is survived by eight great-grandchildren.
Loved and treasured by family and friends, Jane will be fondly remembered for her enduring faith and quick wit and her unique sense of humor. Her children meant everything to her, and they will remember her especially for her determination, strength and will in the face of adversity and loss.
The option of a donation may be made to Catholic Charities, in lieu of flowers: P.O. Box 17066, Baltimore, MD 21297-1066, or donate online at www.Catholiccharitiesusa.org
There will be a Celebration of Life Mass for Jane on December 16th, 11 a.m. at St. Rita's Catholic Church, 2907 Dunleer Road, Dundalk, MD 21222. A reception for friends and family will follow.
Online condolences may be shared at: www.connellyfuneralhomeofdundalk.com



This obituary was originally published in the Dundalk Eagle.