Karen Jean Baird

Karen Jean Baird, 71, a beloved resident of Rancho Tehama Association since 1982, passed away peacefully on July 2, at Vintage Rose Inn, Red Bluff, after a 5 year battle with ovarian cancer. Karen was born January 9, 1946, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Angus and Helen Baird. In 1953 the family moved to southern California where Karen lived through high school. Karen joined the Navy and served as a corpsman at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. She then worked at various factory jobs and toured with a carnival. In 1967 Karen joined the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier in El Monte, CA. She served as Postmaster of Coming 1991-2003 and became Postmaster of Red Bluff in 2004. In 2007 she retired with 42 years of service. During her postal career Karen received several awards from her staff for being a caring, compassionate manager. Karen was active in the California Association of Postmasters and held several offices. She also served as treasurer of the Tehama County Employer Advisory Council. She was a member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, Branch 1655, Red Bluff, and held many positions including President. She was also Vice President of the California District 10 chapter. Karen loved travel, camping, hiking, photography, reading and helping others. She enjoyed writing a monthly letter to friends and family. A celebration of life service for Karen will be held at the VFW hall in Red Bluff at 1 pm on August 27 (rsvp to [email protected]). In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Peg Taylor Center for Adult Day Health Care, 124 Parmac Road, Chico, CA 95926 or pegtaylorcenter.org. Hoyt-Cole Chapel of Flowers is handling the arrangements.