Maxine “Sam” Baker January 20, 1916 – August 2, 2011

Her entire life, Sam scribbled notes on random bits of paper about anything and everything that happened in her daily life. We light-heartedly teased her about those notes, many of which were seemingly mundane: “Had lunch with Lucille today, then we walked around the duck pond. – June 12, 2009.”

It was only after her spirit had flown that we realized the wisdom and beauty in the utter simplicity of her daily notes. Agonizingly, we packed up her room at the assisted living center. In the process, we found this note scribbled on a scrap of paper on her nightstand: “My great-great granddaughter Haven. How I would love to hold her. – May 24, 2011.”

She never got the chance to hold Haven, even though it was planned for them to meet just a few short weeks before a massive stroke took our Sam from us. But Sam’s final message is clear: Live every small moment. Cherish every ordinary day.

Born on January 20, 1916 on the family farm in Longmont, CO, Sam was destined to become a cherished mother, grandmother, and friend to all, losing her own mother at the tender age of 15. Without batting a lash, she assumed the role of matriarch to her four brothers and her baby sister Jean. Shortly thereafter, at a country dance, she met and instantly loved Joe Baker. They married in 1934, welcomed their only child Richard in 1940, and then moved to Richland during the Manhattan Project in 1943. The rest is blissful history.

Family dinners, picnics in the mountains, trips to the ocean, fun-loving times at the family cabin in the Rockies, ice-cream sundaes, Easter egg hunts, square dances, the girls over for games of bridge and pinochle…only a few of the wonderful memories she has gifted us. The smell of her kitchen, the smell of her linens, the smell of her hair and skin...embedded in our hearts and souls forever.

Sam never had a pantsuit unpressed, a hair out of place, or a lipstick too bold. She was the epitome of class and sophistication, the definition of a lady. A Christian woman who loved God, she is dancing now; having flown gracefully to Heaven and into His arms, and finally into the open and waiting arms of her husband Joe.

She leaves on Earth her cherished son Richard Stanley Baker Carolyn of Ellijay GA; her beloved granddaughters Dawn Marie Wolf Ryan and Kelly Yvonne Holman Charlie of Richland WA, and Heather Lynn Baker Steve of Collingswood NJ. She also leaves her great-grandson Eric Michael Wolf Shanna, and her treasured great-great granddaughter, Haven Dawn Wolf of Richland WA, as well as Haven’s devoted siblings Logan and Lexie Seholm.

Sam leaves in mourning her sisters Jean Finley Tom, Rosemary, Charlotte Preston Kurt, Katie, Will, and Eva Peer Jolene, Ian, all of Colorado. She also leaves many, many friends and sorority sisters in Colorado, including members of HEO, Phi Beta Kappa, and Red Hats.

She greets in Heaven her soul mate Joseph Wesley Baker, her parents, her four brothers, and countless cherished friends.

The family extends a special thank you to Lee Symond, who was ever vigilant, ever kind and loving, and a pillar unbroken during Sam’s final hours. We love you, Lee.

Please join us – family and friends – for a celebration of this amazing woman’s life, at the home of Kelly and Charlie Holman, 3059 Bluffs Drive Horn Rapids on Sunday, August 7th, 2011 at 2:00pm. In her honor, bring along a chilled bottle of White Zinfandel! Or drink of your choice as she would always insist.

Rest in peace, our beautiful Sam. We love you, we miss you terribly, and we are rejoicing that you are Home again with your beloved Joe.