Ms. Mary Jane Belz, a retired educator, died peacefully on October 9, 2026 in her home at Brightview Senior Living in Towson, MD, where she had moved this past February. The Baltimore native and longtime Lutherville resident was 91.

Mary Jane was born on February 12, 1935 in Baltimore, MD, the second of eight children of Eugene Graber Belz, Sr., a businessman, and Helen M. Belz (nee Rosendale), a homemaker. She attended St. Bernardine’s Parish School in West Baltimore from 1941 to 1949 and Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson from 1949 to 1953. At Notre Dame Prep she served as class secretary for four years and was president of the National Honor Society as a senior. She attended Villa Julie College, now Stevenson University, on scholarship from 1953 to 1954.

In 1954 Mary Jane followed her sister Clare to Scranton, PA to join the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) and took the name Sister Elaine Marie. She continued her education at Marywood College, now Marywood University, in Scranton and embarked on a teaching career that included assignments in Scranton, Carbondale (PA), the Poconos, Pittsburgh and Long Island. At various times she taught English, history, art and mechanical drawing; ran debate and speech teams; and served as guidance counselor. Her passion, however, was teaching French. She traveled abroad with students, most often to France but occasionally to other European countries, including the Vatican. On one such trip she studied French for six weeks at the University of Dijon with a group of twenty students.

Mary Jane left the convent in 1973, and took up residence in Lutherville, MD. She taught in the Baltimore County School System from 1974 until her retirement in 1990. Her assignments included Dundalk, Cockeysville, Pine Grove and Parkville Middle Schools and Towson High School. She took guidance courses at Johns Hopkins University from 1975 to 1977.

Mary Jane was an accomplished gardener and a long-time member of the York Manor Garden Club. She was most proud of the landscaping at her home on Pickett Road. She also enjoyed reading and playing bridge in her spare time, and was a member of reunion groups at both St. Bernardine’s and Notre Dame Prep. An avid fan of Baltimore sports teams, she followed the fortunes of the Orioles, the Baltimore Colts and, since 1996, the Baltimore Ravens.

Ms. Belz is survived by a brother, Eugene G. Belz, Jr. of Clinton, IA and a sister, Elaine M. Ackerman of Arlington Heights, IL. She was predeceased by her siblings Sister Clare Belz, IHM, Sister Ann Belz, IHM, Paul H. Belz, Richard J. Belz and Priscilla Belz Jenkins. Other survivors include a brother-in-law, Robert Jenkins of Calistoga, CA; a sister-in-law, Mary A. Belz of Ocean City, MD; five nephews, three nieces and three first cousins.

A visitation and viewing will take place at 9:00 AM Friday, October 9 at the Carmelite Monastery, 1318 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, also at the Monastery. Interment will follow at New Cathedral Cemetery in West Baltimore. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Carmelite Sisters of Baltimore (1318 Dulaney Valley Road, Baltimore, MD 21286).