Jennie Marie (Gallagher) Jenkins

Jennie Marie Jenkins of Forest Hill, MD gently passed from our home to the next in the early hours of January 25, 2026 after a hard-fought battle with leukemia. She was called home too young, having never aged past 28 years old, according to her birthday candles every year. She ended her journey just as she lived it, surrounded by loved ones, red wine and lots of leopard print. Born the first of four children in Baltimore MD to an Irish-Italian family, she was brought up unsurprisingly in the Catholic Church, a faith that persevered. She took great pride and safety in her faith and in familial tradition and remained steadfast in it to guide her through life. The Church is a backdrop for many of my early memories of family. Memories both serene and warm, of Christmas concerts and Sunday mornings spent with my mom playfully teasing me in the back pews or gossiping when we should have been paying attention or encouraging me to sing louder and get into the choir. It would be difficult to separate the Catholic tradition from the comfort of home. In true eldest daughter fashion, Jennie put the skill of managing the behaviors and lives of others to use in a lifelong career in human resources. Her strong work ethic, organization, and discernment allowed her to carve out a near-permanent position as HR Director of Tidal Technologies for 25 plus years. But, it was her ability to connect with others that solidified the relationships that enabled her career and led her to a Hallmark love-story when the HR lady fell for another employee. Don’t worry corporate, he was no longer an employee when it was made official. Of all her achievements, I believe her most valued to be that of her family. My mother led a very full life, throwing herself whole-heartedly into any and everything she tried and inspiring me to take risks, though I will leave the skydiving and piloting to her. While she loved designer and luxury, she spent most of life outdoors horseback riding, fishing, shooting, and hiking. She built a community in the horse world that lasted decades, continued the hereditary drive of fishing in every body of water she came across, and spent her years learning new skills and doing as much as she could with her partner in crime. She is survived by her doting husband of 33 years Matthew, daughter Elizabeth with her inherited boldness, humor and looks, her brother Matthew and sister Annette, a network of cousins, nieces and nephews big enough to roster a true Italian-American NFL team (including practice teams), a close circle of the most loyal friends and a 6-pound chihuahua as acting house manager. She is predeceased by her brother Richard. I cannot even begin to describe how she will be missed. Often referred to as “the life of the party” and “the funniest in the room,” her absence will be felt by everyone from me to the mailman. Thank you to all who loved my mother loudly during life, supported her faithfully through illness and to all those lucky enough to bear witness to her awesomeness.

We will be holding a funeral Mass in her honor on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 11:00 am at St. Ignatius Catholic Church located at 533 E. Jarrettsville Road, Forest Hill, Maryland. We will then hold a celebration of life on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 1 p.m. for everyone she touched to share their memories. It will be held at the Knights of Columbus located at 23 Newport Drive, Forest Hill, Maryland 21050.

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