Esteemed Bacteriologist Birgitta Moylan Passes Away at 84

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

Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Birgitta was the daughter of Sigurd Valther Jansson, an executive with the Stockholm Tramways, and Irma Birgitta Andersson Jansson, who ran a restaurant called Fregatten. Her formative years included working in her great-aunt’s general store on the island of Yxlan, located in Stockholm’s archipelago. Birgitta completed her education at Bromma Kommunala Flickskola in 1959 and furthered her studies at the renowned Karolinska Institute, where she trained as a bacteriologist.

In October 1963, she relocated to Baltimore’s Hamilton neighborhood to join the distinguished team at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Her son, Stephan Moylan, reflected on her decision, stating, “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.”

Birgitta met her husband, Martin Moylan, after an article featuring her work at Hopkins was published in the News American. A chance connection through a photographer led to a blind date, though her initial misunderstanding of Martin’s profession—thinking he was a truck driver—added a charming anecdote to their love story. “We believe their first date was to the Eichenkranz restaurant,” Stephan noted.

After raising three children, Birgitta returned to her professional roots at the Bayview Medical Center, becoming a vital part of the asthma and allergy research center. She collaborated with Dr. Robert Naclerio, a noted otolaryngologist. Her commitment to her field and the community was evident through her long-standing membership in the Johns Hopkins Club and her active role in the Sveaborg Society of Maryland, a local Swedish American organization.

Birgitta’s passion for her heritage was strong; her son remarked, “Her Swedish accent got stronger through time. 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.” Known for her vibrant personality, she remained socially active throughout her life, embodying the essence of a “social butterfly.”

Martin Moylan, an attorney, passed away in 2019, leaving a legacy of love and support for their family. Birgitta is survived by her 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 in the coming days. Birgitta Eivor Moylan’s contributions to science and her community will be remembered and cherished by many.