Virginia Lee Baker, beloved wife and mother, passed away March 4, 2007, in Kennewick, WA. Virginia was born to Roy and Lois Ide in Outlook, WA. in December 1922. She grew up in the Yakima Valley graduating from Yakima High School. After graduation, she moved to Monterey, CA and went to school at Western Union. She took pride in being the fastest transcriber in the class. After her training, she worked for Western Union. Later, she worked for the J.C. Penney Company in Yakima where she met and fell in love with Robert E. Baker. They were married August 8, 1948. During their 58-year marriage, she and “Bob” traveled all over the Pacific Northwest following the construction business in which he was involved. She was very proud of her husband and supported his many accomplishments. Virginia was a “stay-at-home mother and prided herself on taking good care of her family.

Virginia had a passionate love of music. She played the piano beautifully and her children remember dancing around the house while she played. She loved to decorate the many houses she lived in and people used to say she should have been a professional decorator. Virginia always loved beautiful clothes and jewelry and her taste was impeccable. In her mid-forties, she signed up for art classes and she created some lovely paintings. Her skills in sewing will be remembered by the family; especially the year she made us all matching dresses and shirts for the Seattle’s World Fair. Mother loved animals and was especially fond of her cats.

Virginia is survived by her husband, Robert Bob Baker, of Kennewick; daughters, Alison Luis Cordero, of Selah, WA. and Bobbi Lynn Chris McClure, of Pasco, WA; son Mark Barb Baker of Kennewick; grandsons Ryan Rachael Childs of Colorado Springs, CO.; and Jacob Differding of Pasco, WA. She is also survived by her brother, Donald Harriett Ide of Yakima WA. Her parents preceded her in death.

As was Virginia’s wish, a family dinner will be held to honor and celebrate her life.

Our family would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the staff at Canyon Lakes Restorative and Rehabilitation Center for their wonderful and loving care of our mother.

Mother’s favorite poem:

When my hair has turned to silver And my eyes have dimmer grown I will lean upon some loved one Through the twilight years I go I will ask of you a promise Worth to me a world of gold It is only this I’m asking That you will love me when I’m old.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity.

Einan’s Funeral Home, Richland, WA is in charge of arrangements.