Jeanne O. Saunders

JEANNE SAUNDERS was born on March 18, 1930, in Baltimore, MD to Gladys Oliver and Maurice Oldham, Sr. She was the third of their four children and the only daughter. Jeanne departed this life on May 3, 2025, at her home in the Charlestown Senior Living Community in Catonsville, MD. Educated in Baltimore public schools, Jeanne graduated from Douglass High School in 1946 at the age of 16. She matriculated to Morgan State College where she met and later married the enduring love of her life, her husband of 74 years and the father of her four sons, John E. Saunders. Professionally, Jeanne was a teacher in the Baltimore school system for more than a decade before shifting her career from education to government service. She then worked at the Social Security Administration in Baltimore until her retirement. Jeanne Saunders was a radiant, warm, and gracious woman who found her greatest joy in the company of family and friends. She was a great supporter and advocate for the interests and activities of her children and their children. Jeanne was an active participant in clubs and organizations such as Tots & Teens, and she never missed a family reunion, 4th of July cookout, birthday, graduation, christening, or wedding over many, many years. She took great pride in her family, lovingly celebrating the accomplishments and supporting the life journeys of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and those of her friends and neighbors too. Jeanne Saunders was ever a gentle, kind, and encouraging presence to everyone around her. And Jeanne loved Christmas. She took exceeding delight in leading the entire family through every verse of The Twelve Days of Christmas every year. Jeanne was a creative person with a decidedly artistic bent. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, good food and drink, music, theatre, travel, and the company of good and close friends, cultivated over a lifetime. She founded the Tripoley Trumps, a social club comprised of dear friends who met monthly to play cards and socialize at each other’s homes for more than 30 years. After retiring, she relished traveling around the country and beyond with her husband Sandee and their associates of many years in Club Getaway. Active her whole life, Jeanne continued to develop her talents in her later years, successfully taking up photography, painting, and pottery after moving to the retirement community. Jeanne Saunders was preceded in death by her husband John, and sons, Michael and Gregory. She leaves to cherish her memory: sons, Keith and Anthony; grandchildren, Renee, Lyle, Nathaniel, Benjamin, and Sadao; great-grandchildren, Sydney, Vincent, and Jay; numerous other relatives, and a multitude of friends whose lives she touched with her radiance and warmth.

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Jeanne O. Saunders

March 18, 1930 - May 3, 2025