Mary J.F. Baron, taught at City College

Mary J.F. Baron, former science department chairwoman at City College, died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease on Jan. 17 at a daughter’s home in Relay. She was 90.

Mary Jane Froehlich was the daughter of Anton Froehlich, a stationary engineer, and Sophia Froehlich, a registered nurse. She was born in Baltimore and raised on Grantley Street.

She was a 1945 graduate of Notre Dame Preparatory School and obtained a bachelor’s degree in 1949 in chemistry from what is now Notre Dame of Maryland University. She also obtained a master’s degree in chemistry from Morgan State University.

Ms. Baron began her career as a chemistry teacher at Edmondson High School and in 1971 was named science department chair at Southwestern High School.

In 1978, she was promoted to science department chair at City College and worked there until her retirement in 1989.

She had also taught part time at the Johns Hopkins University in its Science Masters Program.

The longtime Arbutus resident spent countless hours organizing American Red Cross blood drives and was among the original volunteers at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. She also volunteered with Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland.

“Her whole life was teaching,” said daughter Leslie Heise of Relay.

She was a world traveler and had sailed on Cunard’s QE2, her daughter said.

She had been a communicant of Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church in Catonsville, and St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Ellicott City.

A Mass of Christian burial for Ms. Baron will be offered at11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 409 Cathedral St., Baltimore.

In addition to her daughter, she is survived by a son, Daniel Baron of Ellicott City; seven grandchildren; and a greatgranddaughter. Another daughter, Diane Hastings, died in 2009. A marriage to Vincent Baron ended in divorce.