Jennifer Marie Minke

Jennifer Marie Minke departed this world peacefully at home on October 27, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Born on July 4, 1965, Jen’s life was a testament to her creativity, kindness, and deeply felt connections to family and friends. Jen was raised in Cumberland, Maryland, where she attended Fort Hill High School and graduated with the class of 1983. She once wrote about her childhood: “My grandfather, Roy, had a dream and on 27 acres built a home for himself, gave his two sons sites to build homes, and created a family business from a large swimming pool, picnic grounds, a dance hall, and a few other houses for family and close friends. The businesses were known as Minke’s Pool and The Cottage Inn. My childhood was blessed. I was surrounded by cousins and family friends… what brought us all together was the land, the recreation, the sharing of food (and Old German beer), and deep friendship.” Joy, community, and connection remained the foundation of Jen’s life. She drew from this in everything she did—in her writing, her gardening, her laughter, and the countless friendships she nurtured. She went on to study at Towson State University where she immersed herself in her early interests of music and writing, especially poetry. She had a deep appreciation for the written word and a gift for literary expression. Jen met Julia in 2001. They married in 2003 and settled in the Mt. Washington neighborhood of Baltimore. Their son Quinn was born in 2009, and together they embraced all of the ordinary and extraordinary joys of parenting. Family was everything to Jen, and Quinn’s arrival brought her indescribable joy. In Quinn she found a perfect focus for her nurturing instincts, and she provided a steady, loving environment in which he could thrive. She loved sharing her delights with him, including cooking, crabbing and the joy of picking crabs with good friends. A great lover of people, Jen forged lasting friendships wherever she went. She had a rare gift for making others feel truly seen and valued, and countless people were touched by her warmth, compassion, and her wicked sense of humor. Her long career as a salesperson in the wine industry was a perfect fit. When Jen stopped by to see people, their eyes would light up and often they would exclaim, “Jen Minke!” She knew no match in her industry, and was highly respected by both colleagues and competitors alike. Because of her vocation, Jen knew every nook and cranny in Baltimore, especially where good people, good food, and good drink were to be had. To be out with her, whether for dinner, a quick drink, or a walk through Cylburn Arboretum, you were in for something special. Even the simplest outing became an occasion, made brighter by her laughter and light. It would often take a while to make your way to your destination, because so many people would call out her name for a hug, a smile, or a quick catch-up, always with introductions to new friends along the way. She was warm, thoughtful, kind, and always thinking of others. She remembered the little things about people’s lives, and she carried those details gently and lovingly. An avid gardener and devoted admirer of Cylburn Arboretum, Jen completed the Master Gardener program there. She also delighted in working with her friends at the Mt. Washington Community Garden, and created beauty everywhere, both through her gardening and her gifts of live plants that she shared with her friends. Her other great love was nurturing people through food, and she found great joy and meaning as a volunteer with Love and Cornbread, where she made deep connections with people in the Penn North neighborhood of Baltimore. Jen’s life was one of quiet grace, humor, and abundant love. Her memory will continue to bloom in every heart she touched, in every story shared, and in every garden where her plants continue to grow. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Karen Minke, her wife, Julia Pearson, and their son, Quinn Minke. She is predeceased by her parents, Dorothy and Thomas Minke, her birth parents, Dorothy and Lewis Linthicum, and her birth brother, Paul Linthicum. Jen requested that donations be made in her memory to Cylburn Arboretum in Baltimore.

Jennifer Marie Minke

July 4, 1965 - October 27, 2025