Louise Olney Baker

On July 4, 2015 we all lost a warm, beautiful, charming, caring, giving and highly organized wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and good friend, when Louise Bradford Olney Baker lost a long valiant fight against cancer.Louise O. Baker was born in Proctor, Vermont to Frank J. and Helen Olney (Cheney) on September 13, 1933 (the golden wedding anniversary of her maternal grandparents). After graduation from Proctor High School she was the 36 th member of her family to attend Denison University, Granville, Ohio. In 1955, Louise graduated with a major in mathematics. She was co-president of her senior class, a member of Phi Beta Kappa Society and Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. After graduation Louise was employed in the Actu Department of the Travelers Insurance Company in Hartford, Connecticut. While in Hartford she met John D. Baker. In 1957 they were married in Proctor, Vermont and honeymooned with a cross-country drive to Seattle. Louise was employed by Milliman Robertson, Consulting Actuaries. In 1959 she joined the ranks of stay-at-home moms to care for her new growing family. Given her great love for children and education, Louise earned her teaching certificate in 1970. She was employed as an elementary school teacher in the Edmonds School District. Later Louise became the Program Manager for curriculum and staff development for the district. Before retirement she returned to the class room as a kindergarten teacher.Louise held many leadership roles in her local church and within the region. She participated in several nation-wide gatherings of Presbyterian women. In addition to her church service her enjoyments included being the treasurer for several organizations, keeping an organized home, spending time with family and friends at her second home at Arrowhead Beach on Camano Island, gardening, sewing and upholstery. Louise dearly loved watching her grandchildren and children grow and become good productive citizens. Louise was a huge Husky fan. For years she attended football games, basketball games and supported all sorts of U of W related activities. Louise so enjoyed watching her son and daughter row on the U of W Crew teams and was especially thrilled to watch her daughter Julie win two national championships in rowing and her son, John, play the tuba in Rose bowls with the Husky Marching Band. Louise is survived by her husband of 57 years John Baker, son John Baker, Jr. (Leslie Ann Hay), daughter Julia Walker (Darcy), sister Connie Cushman (Rufus), brother Frank Olney; her grandchildren: James Walker, Kathryn Walker, Bradford Baker, and Nolan Baker; and her niece and nephews.A Memorial service for Louise will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday July 25 th at Maplewood Presbyterian Church, 19523 84 th Ave. W, Edmonds WA, 98026-6107. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Maplewood Presbyterian Church.