Faith Josephine Baker

Faith Josephine Baker died peacefully, late Monday morning August 23, 2010 at Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center in Show Low, Arizona after a lengthy battle with heart disease. She was surrounded by her loving family. Faith was 78 years old. Faith was born, 1 of 5 daughters, on January 7, 1932 in London, England to the late Reginald and Ceceilia Faith (Galley) Port. She moved to Flagstaff, Arizona in 1977 and, 10 years later, moved to her current Lakeside, Arizona neighborhood, where she has since resided. Throughout her life, Faith had a special affinity and love for babies. So much so, that along with raising her own 5 childen as a devoted homemaker, she also was a loving and caring Nanny to many countless others. A job she thoroughly enjoyed and was the recipient of its many unique privileges and blessings. At the age of 22, Faith married her life's love, William R. Baker, Sr. on August 7, 1954. Then at the tender age of 37, she was widowed on April 13, 1969 when William suddenly died of a heart attack. She remained a single lady the rest of her life and built a beautiful and close relationship with each of her children. She loved, so much, spending time with her family; and as the grandchildren and great-grandchildren started to be born, her joy grew even greater as she truly adored each and every one of them and appreciated their individual personalities. Faith was an extremely quiet and private individual. Appropriately named, Faith had an unwavering belief in God and she rasied her children to be God-fearing, responsible adults. She spent her life in Christian service to others, which was an outward expression of her "faith" and love to God. She, too, truly loved spending time with her close friends, especially her very best friend, Alice Evans, on picnic outings in the beautiful parks and forests of the White Mountains and, as a result of her English upbringing, she enjoyed her daily spots of tea; not the famous Earl Grey blends, but rather her preferred "Lipton". She also enjoyed visiting and trying her luck at the different casinos she passed by on various outings. Faith was a gifted artist. She specialized in oil painting and many of her works are now framed treasures, adorning the walls of her family and friends. Though she was a busy woman throughout her life, Faith always made her family her priority. Her life's greatest moments were spent in serving and loving her own children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. This "proper" Englishwoman will truly be missed and forever loved by them. Faith Josephine Baker is survived by 5 of her 6 children: Mary Anne (Richard) Lanner of Show Low, Arizona, Joseph (Rasa) Baker of Lake Ann, Michigan, Faith M. Baker of Lakeside, Arizona, William R. Baker, Jr. of Phoenix, Arizona, Theresa (Dennis) Marcell of Phoenix, Arizona; 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, Faith was preceded in death by an infant son, who lived for 1 day, William John Baker in 1955 and by her 4 sisters. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin 11:00 A.M., Saturday, August 28, 2010 at St. Rita's Catholic Church, 1400 E. Owens in Show Low, Arizona where The Rev. Fr. Joe Blonski will celebrate the mass. Her concluding committal service and inurnment will be at The Holy Trinity/Oakwood Cemetery in Bucyrus, Ohio where she will be laid to rest alongside of her husband. Memorial contributions, in Faith's memory to The White Mountain Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 1975, Lakeside, Arizona 85929 or to The American Heart Association (Pacific Mountain Affiliate) 710 2nd Avenue, Ste. #900, Seattle, Washington 98104, have been suggested by her family. Faith's family truly appreciates everyone's expression of sympathy through thoughts, prayers and deeds.