As we reflect on the past year, we honor the remarkable individuals who left us, leaving behind legacies of service, creativity and dedication that served Maryland and beyond. From trailblazers in the arts and education to leaders in journalism, law and public service, their contributions profoundly shaped our communities. While we cannot include everyone we’ve lost, this tribute celebrates their enduring influence on our world. You can find these and other full obituaries online at baltimoresun.com/news/newsobituaries.

Carl Gordon Grubbs

Carl Gordon Grubbs, an award-winning jazz saxophonist known for his melodic style, died Jan. 5 at 79. Finding much success playing in the clubs of Baltimore, he was described as a modernist solidly rooted in jazz tradition, combining influences from John Coltrane and Jean-Baptiste Illinois Jacquet. Todd Barkan, proprietor of Keystone Korner Baltimore, remembered Grubbs as a radiant soul who supported the next generation of musicians.

Reggie Wells

Reggie Wells, a master makeup artist who styled Oprah Winfrey and other celebrities, died Jan. 8 at 76. Mr. Wells, who was raised in West Baltimore, became Winfrey’s regular makeup artist for “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in 1990, after previously working on magazine covers. He was known for his philosophy that no woman should feel “ugly” because of the resources available for self-care.

Jon D. Franklin

Jon D. Franklin, a two-time Evening Sun Pulitzer Prize winner and award-winning author who taught journalism at the University of Maryland, died Jan. 21 at 82. Franklin’s “Mrs. Kelly’s Monster” won the first Pulitzer for feature writing in 1979, followed by a second in 1985 for explanatory journalism. He was also the author of several science-based books and was known for his focus on people over science.

Peter A. Jay

Peter A. Jay, a former publisher and environmentalist, died Jan. 23 at age 83. Jay was co-publisher of The Record in Havre de Grace and wrote a long-running column for The Baltimore Sun. He was also an active leader in the Harford Land Trust, which worked to preserve farmland in the area.

Rodney A. Orange Jr.

Rodney A. Orange Jr., a former president of the Baltimore NAACP chapter, died Feb. 15 at 82. He was a strong advocate for the abolition of the death penalty and led protests, including one against a Baltimore man’s execution in 1993. He was also deeply affected by the 1988 murder of his son, Dana Kenneth Orange.

Lefty Driesell

Charles Grice “Lefty” Driesell, the brash, folksy Hall of Fame coach who elevated the University of Maryland’s men’s basketball program by collecting 348 wins after promising that he would turn the program into the “UCLA of the East,” died Feb. 17 at 92. Among his many accomplishments, he won more than 100 games at four different NCAA Division I schools.

Ruth Shaw

Ruth Shaw, a fashion icon and founder of Ruth Shaw Inc., died March 17 at 96. Her boutique, known for avant-garde European designs, catered to well-dressed women in Baltimore. Shaw’s approach to fashion emphasized personal style over customer demands, setting trends that remain influential in the city.

Roland Jeannier

Roland Jeannier, a restaurateur who introduced French culinary traditions to Baltimore, died March 19 at 92. He opened his own restaurant in 1985, offering diners a refined menu that included country pâté and ratatouille nicoise. His establishment became known for its authentic French cuisine and warm atmosphere.

Peter George Angelos

Longtime Orioles owner Peter George Angelos, a Baltimore political power broker and one of the most successful class-action attorneys in U.S. history, died March 23 at the age of 94. He had served in the Baltimore City Council and became a highly successful attorney. He represented many clients who worked in Baltimore’s heavy industries and were exposed to asbestos. He bought the Orioles in 1993.

Helena Hicks

Helena Hicks, a civil rights advocate, died April 18 at 88. In the 1950s, she led a protest to desegregate the lunch counter at Read’s drugstore on Howard and Lexington streets. Hicks’ determination helped pave the way for future civil rights efforts in Baltimore.

James “Jim” Voshell

James “Jim” Voshell, an artist known for his murals depicting Baltimore’s neighborhoods, died April 27 at 80. His public art, including the famous mural of men playing checkers at Edmondson Avenue and Franklintown Road, became a city landmark. Voshell’s work captured the essence of Baltimore’s local culture.

Famebridge C. Payne

Famebridge C. Payne, an educator and businesswoman who introduced McDonald’s franchises to inner-city Baltimore, died May 18 at 90. She and her husband opened their first McDonald’s franchise in 1974. Payne’s work helped bring access to affordable fast food to communities that had few options.

Richard B.C. Tucker

Richard B.C. Tucker, a lacrosse innovator and founder of STX LLC, died June 22 at 95. Mr. Tucker, who was born in Baltimore and raised in Roland Park, revolutionized lacrosse stick manufacturing, helping elevate the sport to national prominence. His company became a leader in sports equipment, especially known for high-performance lacrosse gear.

Philip Arnoult

Philip Arnoult, founder of Baltimore’s Theatre Project and advocate for global performing arts, died June 30 at 83. He was known for his visionary work in supporting international theater troupes and his efforts in shaping Baltimore’s arts scene through his leadership and creativity.

The Rev. Mary L. Stanley

The Rev. Mary L. Stanley, the first female rector of Old St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Baltimore, died July 3 at 60. She was a trailblazer in the Episcopal Church, becoming co-rector with her husband in 2020. Stanley retired in 2024 after a distinguished career serving the church and its community.

Betty Cooke

Betty Cooke, a fashion designer and founder of The Store Ltd. in Baltimore’s Cross Keys, died Aug. 13 at 100. Known for sculpted jewelry, her work influenced the local fashion scene. She was celebrated as a national force in design, blending modernism with elegance.

Mary Jane Blaustein

Mary Jane Blaustein, a philanthropist and advocate for mental health, died Aug. 17 at 92. She played a key role in establishing the Morton K. and Jane Blaustein Foundation, which focuses on social issues in Baltimore City, the Maryland and D.C. regions, and New York. Blaustein was also known for her work supporting psychiatric needs and under-resourced communities.

Martin “Marty” Resnick

Martin “Marty” Resnick, a successful caterer who revolutionized the wedding reception scene, died Sept. 11 at 93. He made lavish events accessible to many, creating elegant, country-club-style celebrations for clients. His work left a lasting mark on Maryland’s catering industry.

Joyce H. Green

Federal Judge Joyce H. Green, a trailblazing attorney and judge, died Oct. 10 at 95. She became one of the first female judges in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Green was known for her groundbreaking contributions to the legal field.

Raymond F. Altman

Raymond F. Altman, a lacrosse star and University of Maryland All-American, died Oct. 12 at 83. Altman earned multiple All-American honors during his college career, and his record for points and assists remained unbroken for decades. He was a key figure in the evolution of the sport at Maryland.

Mary Pat Clarke

Mary Pat Clarke, a longtime Baltimore City councilwoman and advocate for local neighborhoods, died Nov. 10 at 83. Clarke was the first woman to represent Baltimore’s 14th District and fought for affordable housing and child welfare throughout her career. She was a passionate advocate for her constituents.

Jean F. Silber

Jean F. Silber, a philanthropist and gardener who led the Cylburn Arboretum in Baltimore City, died Nov. 21 at 92. She and her husband, Sidney, created a beautiful 10-acre garden in Lutherville. Silber was dedicated to preserving Baltimore’s green spaces and enhancing the city’s cultural landscape.

E.B. ‘Pat’ Furgurson III

E.B. “Pat” Furgurson III, a longtime reporter at The Capital, died Nov. 25 at 70. Furgurson played a role in The Capital Gazette’s coverage of the 2018 newsroom shooting, which earned the organization a special Pulitzer citation. Furgurson’s forte was writing feature stories, and he became known for his coverage of the farmers and watermen of South County.

H. Furlong Baldwin

H. Furlong Baldwin, a pioneering business leader and philanthropist, died Dec. 7 at 92. He was involved in several cultural and educational endeavors in Maryland. Baldwin was committed to improving his community through both his business initiatives and charitable efforts.

Gary Cohn

Gary Cohn, a longtime journalist, died Dec. 23 at 72. A series of stories Cohn wrote with reporter Will Englund for The Baltimore Sun chronicled the perils faced by workers dismantling discarded ships and the environmental impact of their work. It was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting in 1998.

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