Ms. Mary Jane Kaltenbach

Mary J. Kaltenbach, lawyer and Certified Public Accountant, died peacefully September 6, 2022 at the Blakehurst Retirement Community, Towson, MD. She was 97. Her death was due to complications of extreme old age. The daughter of Nicholas W. Kaltenbach, who worked for the DiGiorgio Fruit Importing Company in Baltimore harbor, and Barbara Moorman Kaltenbach, housewife and homemaker, Ms. Kaltenbach was the youngest of four children: Dorothy M. Kaltenbach, executive at Hutzler Bros. Department store, Audrey K. Rohde, bacteriologist and teacher; and Nicholas W. Kaltenbach, Jr. , Certified Public Accountant. “Her independence and courage were keys to her personality,” said her niece Barbara R. Treasure. Ms. Kaltenbach was born in West Baltimore and attended parochial schools. She graduated the former Mt. St. Agnes High School and withdrew from a full-tuition scholarship to a local college after attending for two weeks. “They were trying to make me be a teacher, and I didn’t want to be a teacher,” she told Ms. Treasure several years ago. Ms. Kaltenbach enrolled at the University of Baltimore, attending classes at night, working at Hutzler Bros. daytime, and taking very long naps on Sundays. Graduating with honors, she moved on to the University of Baltimore School of Law, graduated, and passed the bar exam on her first attempt. She also became a Certified Public Accountant, passing that exam on her first attempt. She made her career with the W. T. Shackleford Insurance Company. Their offices were in the Maryland National Bank Building, the Art Deco masterpiece still standing at 10 Light Street. She recalled that when World War II ended, Baltimore celebrated with a parade. As it passed 10 Light Street, people left their desks and streamed out of the building to cheer and join the parade. Somewhat to Mr. Shackleford’s consternation, she recalled. By then, the family had moved to Guilford. After her father’s death Ms. Kaltenbach, her sister Dorothy, and their mother were among the first residents of Highfield House, on Charles Street. After her mother’s death, the building became a condominium. Ms. Kaltenbach acquired their unit. She and her sisters traveled together across the US and Europe. In 1997, after Ms. Kaltenbach retired, she joined her sister Audrey at Blakehurst. She served on the Residents Advisory Board, learned to play bridge, and often invited her nieces and nephews to visit for dinners and gatherings. In addition to Ms. Treasure, Ms. Kaltenbach is survived by nieces Judith M. Rohde, Suzanne R. Spaniol, and Susan K. Zawodny; nephews Paul A. Rohde, Peter E. Rohde, John M. Rohde, Nicholas W. Kaltenbach, and Joseph Kaltenbach; their spouses; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church, Ware Avenue, Towson, MD, Saturday September 10, 2022, at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to The Franciscan Center, 101 W. 23rd Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-5607.

Ms. Mary Jane Kaltenbach

January 8, 1925 - September 6, 2022