Mrs Jean Louise Ballard

Jean Louise Ballard, nee Tydings, died peacefully, surrounded by her children and grandchildren on January 27, 2025 at the age of 94. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years, A. Wayne Ballard, Jr., and her beloved parents Jessie Elmer and David Ellsworth Tydings. She is survived by her devoted children, Victoria Piper (Edward), Melissa Reznick (Howard), David Ballard (Carol), Amy Ballard-Eid (Jean-Michel), Jessie Albee, and Megan Carlton (Peter), her dear brother John Tydings (Judith), and beloved grandchildren (17), great-grandchildren (26), and nephews and nieces. Jean Louise’s ready ability to listen to others of all ages with sincere curiosity and interest was her special gift. Her smile, warmth, and laughter charmed us all. She was born in Baltimore where she spent her life. She attended Roland Park Elementary, Eastern High School, and graduated from Goucher College with a degree in English. From kindergarten on, Jean Louise made friends for life and never missed a school reunion. Favorite traditions with her cherished friends included bridge club, Easter gatherings, and family vacations in Ocean City. Jean Louise fell in love with musical theatre when she first saw Oklahoma. She adored the world of entertainment as it evolved across her lifetime - radio shows, movies, jazz, comedy, concerts, live theatre, and television. She was a faithful patron of Baltimore theaters – from the Mechanic to the Hippodrome. Quick to admit she could not carry a tune – it did not stop her from singing at home with enthusiasm and joy. Her tastes were varied, from Gene Kelly to Stephen Sondheim, Django Reinhardt, James Bond, East Enders, and Anthony Newley – who was her Beatle. When Jean Louise fell in love again – it was with a guy from Oklahoma - Wayne, whom she married. Her passions were many. Foremost were family and being a mother. Together with Wayne, she raised their children in Rodgers Forge and on La Paix Lane, in homes filled with good conversation, books aplenty, meals made from scratch, laughter, music, and pets. She parented her children with much love and respect, open to their varied viewpoints, and warmly welcomed all of their friends and her future sons and daughters-in-law. Her home was the place where the children and their friends wanted to be. She supervised their school work, was a skilled editor when needed, and taught their Sunday school classes at the Church of the Redeemer. Jean Louise mentored and encouraged their interests from literature to music, drama club, band, scouting and Troop 35’s 40-mile hikes, travel, cooking, slumber parties, ballet, cards and board games, movies, college degrees, study abroad, and of course, many pets of all shapes and sizes. Jean Louise adored and cared about the welfare of all animals. “A house is not a home without a dog” was a favorite motto. Jean Louise had a passion for history, local and world events, and people. An avid follower of the news, she read three newspapers well into her nineties. Her volunteer work brought the world to her home and family. Through the Baltimore Council for International Visitors, she hosted many people from around the world at her family dinner table and introduced them to Baltimore, as well. Jean Louise volunteered many years with American Field Service/AFS Intercultural Programs to run local programs for international and US students, Baltimore host families, and high schools. She lovingly grew her own family as a host mother to exchange students, including Louise (South Africa), Tomaso (Italy), Puckdee (Thailand), Marcos (Argentina), and Marc (France). During retirement and in between spoiling their growing tribe of adored grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jean Louise and Wayne relished the opportunity to travel. They explored long-dreamed-of-places - Land’s End, Cornwall; London, England; Paris, France; Varese, Italy - and returned to their favorites - Marblehead, Massachusetts; coastal Maine; Nova Scotia; and Bethany Beach. Jean Louise Ballard, a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, will be remembered and cherished in our hearts always. She enriched and blessed our lives beyond words. The funeral service date is TBA. In lieu of flowers, contributions honoring Jean Louise can be made to these causes that reflect her heartfelt beliefs: Baltimore Humane Society Baltimore Humane Society | Kindful AFS Intercultural Programs Donate - AFS-USA

Mrs Jean Louise Ballard

February 23, 1930 - January 27, 2025