Obituary of Shirley Bernice Baker

Shirley Bernice Baker, 96, passed away peacefully at Essex Meadows in Essex on September 10, 2016. Shirley was born on December 6, 1919, in Unionville, Ontario to Arthur and Mabel (Wagg) Brown. She was loved dearly by her three children, Alan Robert Baker, Donald Morgan Baker, and Elizabeth Jane (Baker) Smith, 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grand-children, her two sisters, Gwendolyn Brown and Beth Thorneloe, and her brother-in-law , Rev. William B. Thorneloe. She was predeceased by her loving husband Alan. A. Baker, her son William A. Baker, and her granddaughter Cara Ann Baker. Shirley graduated from the nursing school at the University of Toronto, and married Alan in 1943. After moving to the States with her family in 1957, she lived many years in Wilton, Connecticut, in Palos Park, Illinois, and for 3 years in Brussels, Belgium. Before moving to Essex Meadows, she was a resident of Chester Village West in Chester, CT, where she made many wonderful friends, participated on a variety of committees, and joined in fun group activities throughout the region. She was a devoted member of the United Church of Christ in Chester, and participated in their Bible Study group. She was a light to all, never judgmental, and accepting of everyone no matter what their beliefs or circumstance. She was and will always remain an inspiration to her loving grandchildren. Wherever she lived, she was a faithful and dedicated church member, displaying in her everyday life a deep, constant, quiet faith, and an unshakable belief in God. Everyone loved her beautiful smile. Visitation will be held at Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street in Centerbrook on Sunday, September 18th from 3:00PM to 5:00 PM. A memorial service to celebrate Shirley's life will be held at the United Church of Chester, 29 West Main Street in Chester on Saturday, October 29th at 10:00AM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Shirley's name to the Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 1933, Hartford, Ct 06144 (www.hartfordhabitat.org).