Kathleen Helen Baker, age 73 of Novi, died Saturday, September 4, 2021 at the Arbor Hospice Facility in Saline, Michigan. She was born January 21, 1948 in Detroit, the beloved daughter of the late Thomas Edward and the late Margaret Cathren (nee: Byrne) Baker.
For those who knew Kathleen, perhaps one of the best descriptive words to define her character would have been “passionate.” In everything she did and every life she touched, her passion for giving her finest was paramount. Kathleen was imbued with a tender heart, a loving nature, and a desire to make a difference,…and that’s exactly what she did as she experienced each day and the beauty it had to offer.
Kathleen’s passion for her work in the healthcare realm was easily observed by the many lives she interacted with as an X-Ray technician. Together with the skills and training she had attained and her welcoming bedside manner, Kathleen was an immense calming influence upon many pensive hearts over the years.
Kathleen was also quite passionate about her love of travel. She loved to visit new and exciting places, experience different cultures and lifestyles, and drink in the essence of our world’s scenic splendors. Throughout the breadth of her travels, Kathleen had managed to build quite the interesting portfolio and found great joy in sharing her experiences. It’s people like Kathleen who help those that travel so little to envision the beauty and wonders this world affords.
Another of Kathleen’s passions was found in her deep and abiding faith in God. A devout parishioner of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Warren, she was quite active in the church and its surrounding community, and often volunteered her time and services,…again, in the hopes of making a difference in the lives of others. Kathleen was also an honored member of the church’s Active Christian Women’s Club (ACWC) for many years. An association of Godly women whose ministry it is to usher others into the wonderful presence of our dear Lord & Savior, that had Kathleen’s name written all over it! Being quite the prayerful bunch, she truly enjoyed their fellowship and garnered much from her association with these special ladies.
And not that God takes a back seat here,…we’ll simply call it even-steven when referencing her passion for animals. To say she had a love for our four-legged friends would be a tremendous understatement. Kathleen was like the Mother Teresa of the animal kingdom,…especially when it came to the feline of the species. She was a huge cat lover,…and even greater, a cat owner. Yes, Kathleen was what we better know as a “Fur Mama.” The beautiful picture of Kathleen that accompanies this obituary gloriously incorporates her latest Fur Baby, “Miss Lucy” whom she adored beyond words. And though Miss Lucy will have to wait to be reunited with her, Kathleen goes on ahead towards another reunion with Miss Lucy’s brothers and sisters, Mimi, Sushi, Roscoe & Runt. Just imagine the renewed jubilation Kathleen is experiencing now?!
A loving daughter, aunt, sister and friend, Kathleen’s influence and imprint upon the countless hearts and lives she touched along the way will be long felt and forever treasured. Her legacy will live on through those who were blessed to know and be loved by this incredible woman. She was a meek and humble servant of God, and now joins Him in her Heavenly reward. May she rest safely in God’s loving arms. Go rest high, dear Kathleen,…you will be missed immensely and loved eternally.
Kathleen was preceded in death by siblings James, Thomas, Sylvia, Maxine, Patrick, and Robert. She is survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and also great and great-great nieces and nephews as well. She leaves her “fur baby, Miss Lucy,” and joins her former feline fur babies, Mimi, Sushi, Roscoe & Runt up in Heaven.
Kathleen will lie In State on Thursday, September 9th from 10:30 am until time of the Funeral Mass at 11:00 am at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, 31555 Hoover Road in Warren. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home in Warren as well.
Memorial donations are welcomed to the American Cancer Society, (www.cancer.org), or to the Michigan Humane Society, (www.michiganhumane.org).
Please share memories of Kathleen at her guest book below.
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