Marguerite H. Baker

Marguerite H. Baker, age 91, died at her home in Kennett Square, PA, on September 20, 2013. She had lived in Nottingham Green in Newark, DE, for 52 years before moving to Brandywine Senior Living at Longwood in 2010. She was born in Buffalo, NY. She is survived by her children: Anne Ritchey (Steve) of West Chester, PA, Mary Lou Jay (Daniel) of Timonium, MD, William of Kennett Square, PA, Michael (Laurie) of Rehoboth Beach, DE, and Timothy (Eileen) of Lake Minnetonka, MN; grandchildren: Rebecca, Katharine, and Emily Jay, Michael and Molly Baker, Shannon and Max Baker; sister: Claire Sigurdson of Buffalo, NY; and dozens of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 42 years, William J. Baker, Jr.; brother, John Hoelscher; sisters, Elizabeth Saeli and Mary Madden; and grandson, Gregory Jay. Marguerite raised her children before returning to work for several years as Secretary in the U of D Philosophy Department. Marguerite was a lifelong volunteer. Shortly after her marriage, she was a Red Cross volunteer in San Diego, CA, during WWII. In Newark, she was active for decades in Sodality and Christmas Bazaars at St. John’s/Holy Angels Church. In later years, she volunteered at Emmaus House, Newark Manor Nursing Home, and Newark Senior Center, and helped with projects for the St. Vincent de Paul Society. She was a reading mentor at Etta Wilson Elementary School. She especially enjoyed volunteer time spent with Meals on Wheels in Newark and Immaculate Conception Outreach and Union Hospital Adult Day Services in Elkton. She loved spending time with her grandchildren. Marguerite enjoyed crafts of all kinds, especially needlework. She made lifelong friends in a group that met learning crewel embroidery, which continued to meet for decades. She belonged to several bridge groups over the years and enjoyed traveling after she was widowed. She played in the Nine-Holer Golf League at DuPont Country Club for many years. At Brandywine, she was a word game and trivia game enthusiast. She made the best chocolate chip cookies in the world. Visitation will be held from 5 pm to 7 pm on Thursday, September 26th, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 W. Park Place, Newark, DE. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 am on Friday, September 27th, at Immaculate Conception R.C. Church, 454 Bow Street, Elkton, MD. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Union Hospital Adult Day Services, 152 Railroad Avenue, Elkton, MD 21921 (410-392-0539) or Immaculate Conception Outreach (food bank), 455 Bow Street, Elkton, MD 21921 (410-398-2110).

Marguerite H. Baker

October 17, 1921 - September 20, 2013