Edna J. Outland

Edna Jenkins Outland went to be with the Lord on December 8, 2019. She was the first born to the late Alma (Payne) and Tom Jenkins, devoted wife of Ed Outland, loving mother of Jan (Dave) Kirby, Jay (Sue) Outland, Tom (Lisa) Outland and Tracey (John) Robinson. She was the doting grandmother and great-grandmother to many. Edna was the sister of the late Tucker (late Mel) Jenkins, Alma (Dick) Fisher, Charles (Barb) Jenkins, Bob (Tracy) Jenkins, Gale (Jack) Wilson and Kitty (late Tom) Wojcik. She is fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Edna obtained her life goal to keep God as the first love of her life and to share His love with everyone who knew her.
Edna was born on September 4, 1932 in Baltimore. She attended Western High School and then worked as a social worker until she married Ed. Edna, who only knew how to make BLTs at the time of her marriage, began in earnest to learn the art of creating a warm and loving home. She excelled at extending warm hospitality to anyone who entered her door. Not only did she learn to feed her family wonderful meals, but she welcomed many people regularly to her table for months, and in some cases, years at a time. She used her love of cooking to nurture relationships with people in and around her life. Serving at the community soup kitchen for many years was another labor of love. Her hospitality extended beyond her own circle of friends as Edna voluntarily provided regular respite care for a little orphan girl who lived at St. Gabriel’s Home for Children. She welcomed two young women to stay at her home while their parents’ jobs took them to a different location allowing the girls to complete high school in Catonsville. She welcomed an Iranian foreign exchange student into her home for a summer. For years, she took care of an elderly widow until her death. In recent years, Edna befriended a woman who needed help, which Edna willingly provided, and included this woman in family traditions. Edna was always available to take family and friends wherever they needed to go, to make a meal, to listen without judgement, and to give good advice if you wanted it. She was one of those rare people who saw a need and selflessly gave whatever help she could without a second thought. Her ability to extend her help to anyone who asked was an inspiration to many.
Edna has kept close to many from her school days. While her children were growing, Edna and Ed were involved in many youth sports organizations where they volunteered tirelessly continuing to develop lasting friendships. Because she and Ed loved to dance, you could find them on the dance floor at many fundraising events. Throughout the majority of her life she enjoyed her monthly Pinochle Card Club and weekly Duck pin bowling. Edna and Ed were active members of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Parish and later became members of Church of the Good Shepherd Charismatic Episcopal Church. The active couple attended a weekly Bible study and enjoyed close fellowship with those in the study for 45 years. Along with homemaking Edna worked in the office of Ed’s electrical company, Outland Electric, for 35 years. After Ed retired she began part-time work at Bippy’s Pub, owned by her dear friends, Billy and Sue Vaselaros, who put her cooking skills to work for the benefit of Bippy’s patrons.
Edna enjoyed vacationing near water and loved relaxing on the beach with family and friends. She will be remembered as a fun-loving, warm, tenderhearted and faithful woman. She will be sorely missed by those who loved her but her legacy lives on in the lives of those she so generously touched.
There will be a memorial gathering held at the Candle Light Funeral Home, 1835 Frederick Road, Catonsville on January 24, 4:00-7:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her memory to one of the associations listed below.

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