Jennifer Delaney

Jennifer Delaney, 52, a beloved Baltimore City middle school special educator, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 30. For more than twenty-five years, she devoted herself to her students with patience, humor, and unwavering respect. She often said that kids were the best coworkers, and she treated every child with the kindness and dignity they deserved.

Jen was born in Winchester, Massachusetts in 1973, and grew up there. A lifelong Girl Scout, she spent her summers at Camp Pondicherry and at her family’s lake house on Hancock Pond in Denmark, Maine - her favorite place in the world. She maintained a lifelong love of the outdoors and everything wild. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Maine at Farmington and began teaching in Baltimore, MD shortly afterwards. She later achieved her Master’s degree at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland.

Jen lived by the Girl Scout code of leaving every place better than she found it. She was a devoted member of the South Baltimore community, always showing up for friends and neighbors. She could often be seen biking across the city, with her children, a Christmas tree, or Halloween pumpkins strapped to her big orange bike. Wherever she went, she brought kindness and good will.

Over the past two summers, Jen traveled across the country so her children, Maxwell and Ada Marshall, could chase their love of roller coasters. Being their mother was her greatest joy and accomplishment. She loved her family deeply, including her parents, Diane and Robert Delaney; her brother, Robert Delaney; her sister and brother-in-law, Jessica and Ryan Sloper; her nieces, Tatum, Rowan, and Payton; and her many close friends. Her husband, Shannon Marshall, brought light and laughter into her days, and she cherished the life they built together.

It was a joy to know Jen and a blessing to be loved by her. Her life made the world gentler, and her absence will be felt deeply by all who knew her.

Family and friends may gather at Candle Light Funeral Home, 1835 Frederick Road, Catonsville, MD 21228, on Saturday, December 13, 2025 for a Memorial Gathering from 12:00pm-2:00pm, with a Memorial Service taking place at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Planned Parenthood of Maryland or the Girl Scouts of America.