Marian E. Baker, age 99, passed away on
March 24, 2013, after a long illness. She had been a
member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish for 77 years .She moved
to Poteau , OK from
Kansas City in
1935 with her late husband Dr. Wilbur K. Baker DDS, and their one year
old son, Kermit . She has 5 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
There were only 7 Catholics in the parish when Marian arrived in Poteau She quickly started wearing many “hats”. She became the parish organist—playing for all Sunday masses, weddings, and funerals etc. In addition, Marian became the choir director and also for many years organized a children’s choir. In addition, she became the bookkeeper and treasurer for 3 parishes ,Poteau, Stigler ,and Spiro. This also involved counting all collections, making bank deposits, and paying all bills. She did this by hand for 50 years and then learned to use a computer. Over the years Marian helped purchase , prepare, and serve the food for all the funeral dinners.
During her 77 years of parish service, Marian had worked with 18 different Priests who were fresh out of the seminary. She helped them become seasoned pastors. Marian was very sociable and had never met a stranger. She had the ability to make all visitors and parishioners feel welcome and comfortable. She had been called the “matriarch” of the parish. At age 86 Marian survived colon cancer which involved surgery and chemotherapy. She slowed down and by age 92 stopped doing bookkeeping –treasurer for 3 parishes.
In 2008 Marian Baker was honored by being named as the “ Woman of Achievement”
in the entire Diocese of Tulsa
There were only 7 Catholics in the parish when Marian arrived in Poteau She quickly started wearing many “hats”. She became the parish organist—playing for all Sunday masses, weddings, and funerals etc. In addition, Marian became the choir director and also for many years organized a children’s choir. In addition, she became the bookkeeper and treasurer for 3 parishes ,Poteau, Stigler ,and Spiro. This also involved counting all collections, making bank deposits, and paying all bills. She did this by hand for 50 years and then learned to use a computer. Over the years Marian helped purchase , prepare, and serve the food for all the funeral dinners.
During her 77 years of parish service, Marian had worked with 18 different Priests who were fresh out of the seminary. She helped them become seasoned pastors. Marian was very sociable and had never met a stranger. She had the ability to make all visitors and parishioners feel welcome and comfortable. She had been called the “matriarch” of the parish. At age 86 Marian survived colon cancer which involved surgery and chemotherapy. She slowed down and by age 92 stopped doing bookkeeping –treasurer for 3 parishes.
In 2008 Marian Baker was honored by being named as the “ Woman of Achievement”
in the entire Diocese of Tulsa
She is survived by a son, Dr. W. Kermit Baker II MD of Fayetteville AR,
a niece, Barbara Lasta of K.C. MO. a nephew, William
Hansen of K.C. KS., 5 grandchildren, and 14 great
grandchildren.
Services ---a funeral Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Poteau, Okla. at 11 AM on Monday, April 1, 2013.
.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to a memorial at the Immaculate Conception Church, PO Box 237, Poteau, OK 74953.
.
Services ---a funeral Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Poteau, Okla. at 11 AM on Monday, April 1, 2013.
.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to a memorial at the Immaculate Conception Church, PO Box 237, Poteau, OK 74953.
.
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