Natalie P. Baker

Natalie P. Baker passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at age 86. Beloved mother, grandmother and friend, Natalie will be remembered as an elegant lady to the end, her beautiful silver hair neatly combed and her lipstick perfectly in place. She will also be remembered for her strength, her ability to change as life demanded it, and her love of family, above all else.

Natalie Anne Peterson was born in Evanston, Illinois in 1930 to Edythe Karlsteen and Arthur Walter Peterson. She was "100% Swedish": the granddaughter of Swedish immigrants to the United States. She attended University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for a year, and then transferred to the University of Miami, where she earned her bachelor's degree in marketing. There, she was selected as a member of the Orange Bowl Court for the Orange Bowl. She was also a proud member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.

After college, she met the love of her life, Dr. Robert W. Baker, Sr., while she was working in Chicago for Dupont Corporation. They were married in Evanston in 1954, and moved to Ithaca, where they lived and created a fun, happy, and exciting life together for 54 years, until he predeceased her in 2008. Natalie and Bob had three children, all of whom survive her: Dr. Robert Baker, Jr. (Sarah) of Ithaca, NY; Susan Sheridan (Tom) of Fairport, NY, formerly of Trumansburg, NY; and Nancy Baker (Dr. Peter Clement) of Rochester, NY. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren Brian Sheridan, Carley Rojas Avila (Jose), and Andrew Clement, and by a nephew.

Natalie was the President of B and B Realty Company, past Board member of the Eastlawn Cemetery Association, and a past member of both the Ithaca Garden Club and the Country Club of Ithaca. She and Bob also belonged to John's Island Club in Vero Beach, Florida, where they spent many happy, relaxed months during the long Ithaca winters.

Most importantly to Natalie, she was the "wingman" to Bob. They traveled extensively for the work he did in the world of orthodontics, as a result of his teaching throughout the US and Europe, and due to his work in organized dentistry. "Pen", as Bob nicknamed her, was the consummate hostess and always remembered people's names, especially when Bob did not. She was up for anything that his career demanded, no matter how difficult the logistics or the timing. Their circle of friends grew to include people from many different countries, nationalities, and faiths. They also believed deeply in philanthropy, and quietly gave back to educational institutions, research projects, and charities.

She loved to play cards, eat candy, and visit with family. She had a wonderful, wry sense of humor, and could execute a hilarious eye roll that indicated her true feelings on any given topic. She was devoted to exercising, which kept her in great shape, throughout her lifetime.

The family would like to thank Natalie's longtime housekeeper, Donna Burgh, for her many years of loyal care. Also, we thank the staff at Glenmere at Cloverwood for the many months that Natalie spent happily living there; Joyce Pera and her group of lovely caregivers; the University of Rochester Medical Center Visiting Nurse Hospice team; and the angels who provided Natalie with palliative care through Michelle Lezo's Dignified Compassionate Care agency. We gratefully appreciate all of you for your compassionate care of Natalie.

Friends are invited to a celebration of Natalie's life at the Ithaca Country Club on Saturday, June 17th from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. A private burial will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, Natalie would love it if you would make a donation to the academic institution that helped you become the person that you are today, or to your favorite charity.

Saturday, June 17, 2017 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Country Club of Ithaca 189 Pleasant Grove Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850