Renowned Johns Hopkins Bacteriologist Birgitta Moylan Passes Away

Birgitta Eivor Moylan, a distinguished bacteriologist at Johns Hopkins University and a pillar of the Swedish community in Baltimore, passed away from congestive heart failure on October 23, 2023, at her home in the Homeland neighborhood of Baltimore. She was 84 years old.

Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Moylan was the daughter of Sigurd Valther Jansson, who worked as an executive with the Stockholm Tramways, and Irma Birgitta Andersson Jansson, who owned a restaurant named Fregatten. Her early life included working at her great-aunt’s general store on Yxlan, a picturesque island in Stockholm’s archipelago. After graduating from Bromma Kommunala Flickskola in 1959, she pursued her studies at the Karolinska Institute, a prestigious medical university, where she trained as a bacteriologist.

In October 1963, Moylan made a significant move to Baltimore’s Hamilton neighborhood to join the team at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Her son, Stephan Moylan, recounts, “She took a huge chance in coming to Baltimore. She picked Johns Hopkins and said, ‘I’ve heard of that.’ She loved her job and loved to work.”

Moylan’s career at Johns Hopkins blossomed, particularly after she became involved in research related to allergies and asthma. After raising her three children, she returned to the institution, contributing her expertise to the asthma and allergy research center at Bayview Medical Center, where she collaborated with noted otolaryngologist Dr. Robert Naclerio.

Moylan’s personal life was equally vibrant. She met her husband, Martin Moylan, after an article featuring her work appeared in the News American. Due to a misunderstanding during their first blind date, she initially thought he was a truck driver, a reference to his position at the Interstate Commerce Commission. Fortunately, her Swedish roommate clarified his true profession as a lawyer, solidifying their bond.

Moylan was deeply involved in promoting her Swedish heritage, actively participating in the Sveaborg Society of Maryland, a local Swedish American club. She often gathered with members at various Lutheran churches around Baltimore. Her son added, “She was always involved with food. She had hundreds of cookbooks. She could plan a meal, cook it, and be the life of the party. She was a social butterfly.”

Throughout her life, Moylan maintained her social activities and engagement with her community. Described as kind and warm, she had a passion for caring for others, continuing to be socially active until her passing.

Her husband, Martin Moylan, an attorney, passed away in 2019. She is survived by two sons, Judge Stephan Moylan of Oakland in Garrett County, and Christopher Moylan of Stockholm, Sweden; a daughter, Martina Dilks of Baltimore; a sister, Maja Berg of Degeberga, Sweden; a brother, Christer Jansson of Stockholm; and seven grandchildren.

The family plans to announce service arrangements at a later date, honoring the legacy of a woman who significantly impacted both her professional field and her community.