Elaine C Baker

Elaine Campton Baker of McLean, VA, age 93, died on February 18th, 2021. She was born in Denver, CO, daughter of Eugene and Thelma Campiglia. She married James (Jim) Webb Baker in 1951. The couple lived in Richmond, VA for 12 years, and lived overseas for 17 years in India, Turkey, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Tunisia while Jim served as a Foreign Service officer for the U.S. Information Agency. In addition to her duties as a diplomatic spouse, Elaine worked as a school librarian in various international schools while abroad. After Jim’s retirement, the couple moved to Williamsburg, VA, where they first met as students at The College of William and Mary. In Williamsburg, Elaine volunteered many years for Meals-on-Wheels, ASSIST, and FISH, Inc., an organization providing food and clothing for neighbors in need. After Jim’s death in 2011, Elaine moved to McLean, where she resided in Vinson Hall Retirement Community. She was a member and librarian of Lewinsville Presbyterian Church in McLean. Elaine graduated from The College of William and Mary in 1949. She earned a Masters in Library Science degree from the University of the Philippines in 1979, publishing A Survey of Public Bookmobile Services in Luzon. She was the author of two more books, Look What They’ve Done to Bicycles, a look at extraordinary bikes, and The Kookbook, a collection of unlikely recipes. She is survived by two sons, James W. Baker of Seattle, and Glenn C. Baker of Falls Church, VA, daughter-in-law, Joanne Burke, and granddaughters, Nora Baker and Raleigh Haavig. The family will have a private burial at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Williamsburg, with a memorial service to be held when it is safe to gather. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Elaine’s memory to The College of William and Mary, P.O. Box 1693, Williamsburg, VA, 23187-1693, or online at www.giving.wm.edu. Online condolences may be shared at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.