Mary M. “Lollie”Baker, 97, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 20, 2018 at Glens Falls Hospital.
Born November 8, 1920 in Dayton, Ohio, she was the only child of the late Charles B. Mead and Ella (Ramsey) Mead.
At the age of 8, her family moved to Johnson City, Tennessee, where her father oversaw the implementation of Mead Paper Corporation’s new facility.
For several summers, Lollie attended Camp Merrie Woode in Sapphire, North Carolina. While still in high school she worked in A. Fred Johnson’s department store in Kingsport in the millinery department for 25 cents an hour. She spent her senior year of high school at Knox School in Cooperstown, New York, graduating from there with an Associate’s degree in business. She was senior class president, participated in crew and was an accomplished horsewoman.
After college, she served as private secretary to Mr. William Gilmer, head of the purchasing department for Mead Paper, until she married.
Lollie met her future husband, Wallace Froass Baker, at Miss Hattie’s Boarding House in Kingsport. He was doing an internship with the Tennessee division of Eastman Kodak. “Wally and Lollie” enjoyed the same birthday. Shortly after the US entered WWII, Mr. Baker applied to Naval Officers Candidate School and was given the rank of Ensign. The two quickly married in Kingsport, TN on February 21, 1942, as Mr. Baker received orders to immediately report for duty at Dahlgren, Virginia.
After the war was over, Mr. and Mrs. Baker lived in Rochester and Elmira, New York, and Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.
While in Elmira, they hosted several exchange students. One in particular, Horst Pohl, from Berlin, Germany, became another “son.”
Mr. and Mrs. Baker spent 29 years together until his passing in 1971.
Lollie was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Glens Falls, where she served as Elder and Deacon and other capacities. She was a past board member of the Glens Falls Home, volunteered with Meals on Wheels, was a member of the Senior Citizens of Glens Falls, and past member of the Hospital Guild. She was an amazing cook and prepared meals for many including the Open Door. She enjoyed volunteer work, gardening, animals, traveling, but first and foremost spending time with family.
In addition to her parents and husband, Lollie was predeceased by an infant son, John and a great-granddaughter, Nellie May Goodness Baker. Left to cherish her memory include her children Wallace Baker of Rochester and Nancy C. Heider of Lakewood Ranch, Florida, Charles Baker and his wife Lynn of Enfield, New Hampshire, Sarah Hoy and her husband Tom of Queensbury, Robert Baker and his wife Christine of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and Walter Baker and his husband Philip Cress of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 10 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her faithful dog, Abbey.
At Lollie’s request, there will be no calling hours.
A Memorial Service will be held at 12pm on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at the First Presbyterian Church of Glens Falls, 400 Glen Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801.
Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations in Lollie’s memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Glens Falls Scholarship Fund, 400 Glen Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801 or to the S.P.C.A. of Upstate New York, 588 Queensbury Ave., Queensbury, NY 12804.
Arrangements are in the care of M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 136 Main Street, South Glens Falls, NY 12803. To view Lollie’s Book of Memories and post online condolences, please visit kilmerfuneralhome.com. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Connie Cleveland, private LPN, and Lynn Keil, PA of Hudson Headwaters Health Network who have provided exceptional care and compassion to Lollie.
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