Ruth Ann Baker

Ruth Anne Baker, 83, of Beachwood, NJ, died unexpectedly on February 2, 2016, at home. She is survived by her children: Doug, Judy, Jeff, and Paul and his wife Patty; and her beloved grandchildren Paul “PJ” and Ryan. She was born in Rockford, Illinois, and grew up in Rochester, NY. The family moved to Toms River, NJ, in 1974 before moving to Beachwood in 1995 to a log home built by her husband Mitch. Ruth was predeceased by her loving husband Mitchell in 2011, her parents James and Elizabeth Wilson, and her sister Margaret Jensen.

Ruth was a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University where she met her husband of 58 years and the love of her life Mitchell Baker. She was a stay at home Mom when the kids were younger before becoming a nursery school teacher. She worked as a social worker for different agencies after moving to NJ. Later in life, she received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Rutgers University in 1989. She retired from Community Home Health and Hospice in Toms River in 2012 when she was 80. During her life she volunteered at several organizations including Meals on Wheels, Contact, Stephen Ministries and the House of Hope. Ruth was a very active member and Deacon of the Presbyterian Church of Toms River. The center of Ruth’s life was her family and friends. She welcomed into her life all those she met with her warmth, her generosity, her love and her sense of humor. Ruth will be dearly missed by her family and all of the people whose lives she made better.

A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, March 1, at 6:00PM, at The Presbyterian Church of Toms River, 1070 Hooper Ave, Toms River. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Ruth’s name to the House of Hope, 253 Chestnut St., Toms River, NJ 08753