Dorothy R. Baker, age 99, passed away on August 9, 2020 at Otterbein, Pemberville. Dorothy was born July 6, 1921 in Detroit, Michigan to Roscoe H. and Mildred (Christen) Baker. She grew up during the Great Depression.
Family was the most important thing throughout Dorothy’s life. As a child she loved the frequent trips from Detroit to Wood County, Ohio where grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins got together, often at the Christen family farm near Lemoyne. Later, she would host many fun family get-togethers at her home in Detroit. After retiring, Dorothy moved to the farm on Fremont Pike where her father grew up. Friends and family loved visiting her there.
Dorothy received her B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1943, then immediately moved to Washington, D.C. to assist in the war effort. As a “Military Mapping Maiden” she worked on classified maps for the Army Map Service, which was housed in a building camouflaged with trees on its roof.
Dorothy returned to the U of M for her master’s degree, then taught middle school science in the Detroit public school system for 31 years. Her love of children and her ability to inspire earned her the system-wide “Teacher of the Month” award from the Detroit Education Association in 1963.
Dorothy had many hobbies. She loved music and played the violin and piano. Later, she took up the hammered dulcimer and performed with The Black Swamp Dulcimer Gathering until age 94. She added her own spark of creativity to the arts and crafts she enjoyed and taught others. At age 96, she published her first book, “Out of My Heart,” a collection of poetry and drawings she wrote decades earlier. She loved to travel and visited five continents, including trips to places long before they were on the tourist radar. She made an 8,000-mile road trip to Alaska in 1958, a time when paved roads and motels were rare there. She loved genealogy and enjoyed researching family history through old letters and photos.
But Dorothy’s favorite hobby was family and friends. She loved chatting with them around the kitchen table with a cup of coffee and a sweet treat. She had life-long friendships and loved meeting new people from all backgrounds. Dorothy also loved our country and was a proud and patriotic citizen.
Family and friends will remember her for the sparkle in her eye, for her enthusiasm, imagination, kindness, and integrity.
Dorothy is survived by her sister, Jane (Baker) Wood, 10 nieces and nephews, 14 grand nieces and nephews, 3 great grand nieces and nephews, and dear friends Gene and Sue Avers. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Mildred (Baker) Arvo.
Family and friends will be received at a public visitation, 10:00–11:30 a.m., Thursday, August 13, 2020 at Zion United Methodist Church, 525 Krotzer Ave., Luckey, OH. A Family Service and Committal at Troy Township Cemetery, will follow. Donations can be made to the church or to a charity of your choice. Those wishing to express condolences to the family, may do so at: www.marshfuneralhomes.com.
