Shirley Lentz, homemaker, churchwoman

Shirley W. Lentz, a homemaker and active member of St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church in Timonium, died Monday from respiratory failure at the Augsburg Lutheran Homein Lochearn. She was 90.

Shirley Elizabeth Webster was the daughter of Maynard S. Webster, a Baltimore Transit Co. streetcar motorman, and E. Pauline Webster, a homemaker.

She was born in Baltimore and raised in Highlandtown, where she grew up as an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and a leader in the Luther League youth group.

After graduating from Patterson High School in 1945, Mrs. Lentz worked for the Prudential Insurance Co., processing claims.

She was married in 1957 to John Vernon Lentz, a state highway planner. For years, the couple lived on Quaker Ridge Road in Timonium.

Mrs. Lentz was an active member of St. Timothy’s. She taught and served as Sunday school superintendent. She was also a Church Council member, a leader in the Lois’ Circle Women’s Group and a member of the choir.

She was an accomplished cook who enjoyed preparing American classics and Italian food, but was also known for her sauerbraten and dumplings, a signature dish that was a nod to her German heritage, said a son, Daniel G. Lentz of Scaggsville.

Mrs. Lentz also enjoyed traveling, and camping with her family in national parks.

She had been an avid Baltimore Colts fan. “My parents had Colts season tickets at Memorial Stadium on the 50-yard line,” her son said. Her husband died in 2009. A celebration of Mrs. Lentz’s life will be held at noon Saturday at the Lemmon Funeral Home, 10 W. Padonia Road, Timonium.

In addition to her son, she is survived by two other sons, Mark A. Lentz of Bel Air and David V. Lentz of Southborough, Mass.; and seven grandchildren.