Edith "Edie" M. Baker's Obituary
Edith (Edie) M. Baker, born on May 21, 1935 in Westfield, Vermont to Wendell and Nora (Wilcox) Bell, passed away in Bountiful, Utah on April 10, 2021 at the age of 85, from complications due to Alzheimer’s.
Edie graduated from Burlington (Vermont) High School, and the State University of New York Agriculture and Technical Institute, Cobleskill, NY, where she majored in nursery education. She also attended the University of Vermont for two years to further her studies in early childhood education.
Through the years Edie taught nursery school and kindergarten, was a substitute teacher at Monkton Elementary School in Monkton, Vermont; and was a caregiver for both of her parents, father-in-law, and Alma who became a friend. After she finished working, Edie dedicated over 20 years of volunteer service at Fletcher Allen Health Care in their non-profit second-hand store, Replays.
Edie was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 60 years, Edgar V. Baker. She is survived by her son, Russell Baker (Robin); daughters Sarah Van Kovics (Jim) and Lori Novak (Tony); sister Ruth Kutsche; and grandchildren, Brittany Baker and Grant Baker.
Edie had a passion for working with children and she excelled at it. She chaperoned many events, was a Cub Scout Den Mother, helped with the Girl Scouts, and as a timer for the junior high track team.
Edie had a great love of nature. Every spring she would go for a walk behind her house to the special spot that held Lady Slipper flowers. She would spread bird seed out in the winter to watch her birds come into feed, spent a lot of time in her garden with her flowers, loved her Red Sox, and was a big fan of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
Special thanks to Edie’s caregiver and good friend, Debra Hangge and Tender Care Home Health and Hospice, especially Jen (RN) and Stephanie (Chaplin) who provided heartfelt care and support to Edie and her daughters.
In August of 2018, Edie moved to Utah where she lived with her daughter Lori and son-in-law Tony until January of 2021, she enjoyed living with them, but was a Vermonter through and through and longed to return there. In keeping with her final request and wishes, her ashes will be returned to Vermont, and a small celebration of life will be held with family and close friends in Vermont at a later date.
Edie was an amazing mother who dedicated her life to loving, nurturing and supporting her children, as well as countless others. In lieu of flowers, her children ask that you donate to your favorite children’s charity. We can think of no better way to honor her life.
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