Brooklyn "Heni" Candace Baker's Obituary
Brooklyn “Heni” Candace Baker
Our sweet, spunky, and energetic Brooklyn Candace Baker (known as “Heni” to family and friends) unexpectedly passed away on July 29, 2024, in West Jordan, Utah at the age of 41. Heni was loved by many family members and friends in New Zealand, England, the U.S., and Australia. She was born on September 25, 1982, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Dierdrie Sharron Ormsby and Bruce Ashman Baker.
At the time of her passing, Brooklyn had been visiting family and friends in the United States and was preparing to return to her home in New Zealand when her health took a very drastic turn for the worse. Brooklyn had been battling breast cancer and was given clearance to make a trip to the U.S. to visit her loved ones. Unfortunately, this would be her final trip before she would return home to her Heavenly Father. Brooklyn had great faith and was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Brooklyn loved the rich culture and tradition of her Maori heritage from which her nickname is derived. The nickname Heni (which means “Jane” in Maori) was given to her by her Maori grandfather, William Ormsby when she was attending Kohanga Reo. Heni participated in school and learned many different Maori Polynesian dances.
As a child, Heni was fearless and had a love of the water and the ocean. She attended most of high school at Church College of New Zealand in Hamilton where she played and excelled in netball and many other sports. During her junior year, Brooklyn lived in Colorado with her Uncle Paul, Auntie Loring, and cousins. She attended Poly-Tech in Hamilton, New Zealand. Heni spent most of her adult life in New Zealand and Australia.
Always cheerful, Brooklyn had an infectious laugh and spontaneity about her that made her a friend to many and the life of any party. She loved watching rugby (her favorite team was New Zealand’s national team, the All Blacks) with her partner of two years, James Patrick. She also enjoyed sappy, romantic movies. During her adult life, Heni worked as a pool manager for a recreation center, a receptionist, and a probation officer, which was her most recent job.
Brooklyn’s last three weeks of life were spent visiting relatives and attending a Baker family reunion in Utah. During that time, she completed several bucket-list items including eating at Panda Express, In-N-Out Burger, Cinnabon, and Auntie Anne’s Pretzels. She also rode a horse, went to the rodeo, attended her cousins’ roping, went to the Utah Olympic Park, and watched fireworks.
Brooklyn is predeceased by her brother, Michael Baker, and grandparents, Merlin Baker, Marian Baker, William Ormsby, and Elsie Eileen Ormsby. She is survived by her mother, Dierdrie Ormsby Reaney and stepfather, Roger Reaney; father, Bruce Baker; sister, Alena Baker James; partner, James Patrick; and many loved ones around the world. Heni will be missed by her beloved cats, Losty and Silver, whom she loved like her own children.
Although Brooklyn lived most of her life in New Zealand, she came back to the place of her birth and will be buried close to her brother, Michael, in the Orem City Cemetery.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2876 West 1390 North, Provo Utah. The viewing will take place from 9:30-10:30 a.m., and the funeral will begin at 11:00 a.m.
The dedication of the grave and burial will take place on Monday, August 5, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Orem City Cemetery, 1520 North 800 East, Orem, Utah. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
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