Sandra Kay Baker

Sandra Kay Baker, Sandy, born September 22, 1942, passed away December 6, 2023. Sandy grew up in Arbutus, Maryland and lived in Catonsville for the past 53 years. She is survived by her devoted husband George Dave Baker and leaves many relatives that will forever love her: children Brian Baker, Lori and Tim Bentley, Julie Baker; grandchildren Mark, Maggie, Sandi, Georgia; and great-grandchildren Timothy, Ethan, Payton, Lucy, Charley, and David.

Sandy and Dave first met on a double-blind date intended for opposite partners and fell in love. They married in 1960 and stayed married and in love for 63 years. They nourished their love with jitterbugging in the kitchen and truly partnering to create their home. After they married, Sandy worked as a secretary in downtown Baltimore before transitioning to full-time motherhood. Her mothering was that of love and extraordinary patience, good humor, and great fun. She would pull her young children on sleds to the bus-stop, spent endless summer days at the poolside as lifeguard and ball-catcher, kept an eye on her kids at school as lunch aide and through PTA, and was a neighborhood Mom to all. She understood to enjoy the life God granted her, and much of this enjoyment was shared with her best friend, Cookie Hauf, laughing with each other every day of her life, either on the phone or on endless car trip adventures.

She helped successfully create Dave’s heating and plumbing business as an accountant and bookkeeper; no other soul could juggle emergency plumbing calls and homemade dinners the way she did. Customers would call in just to chat with her. She would spare time and kindness for everyone: she would always allow a smile and an ear for salespeople who came to call on her (but little did they know the strength of the hand with which she held the purse-strings). She was an extremely resilient woman and a fierce protector of her family, and, always humble, sorely underestimated her gifts and the positive impact on those around her. Sandy always was quick with a smile and a funky song tune to share.

One of the most selfless beings to ever live, she sparked pure joy in those that surrounded her, and she drew people to her. It was common to find her talking to - and somehow reassuring- strangers whom she met out shopping. Children were especially drawn to her, and it was her great delight to be deeply involved in the lives of her grandchildren and great- grandchildren who looked to her for comfort, cookies, and playfulness. She made every moment, every occasion (especially Christmastime), worth remembering. We all miss her dearly.