Barbara Britton Baldwin

Barbara Lillie Britton Baldwin was born in New Jersey on August 3, 1928. As a girl she lived in Tacoma Park, Maryland with her father Harold, mother Lillie, sisters Miriam and Anita and brother Harold. Barbara loved animals and had many pets including, birds, fish, and a squirrel. She converted to vegetarianism as a girl when her family ate her pet turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. She attended Takoma Park Adventist elementary and academy. Starting in academy, she worked as a secretary for the treasurer of the General Conference, and she fondly remembers celebrating the end of World War II by watching the fireworks from the roof of the General Conference building. For college, she attended Columbia Union College and graduated with a music major and business minor. She also attended the Catholic University where she obtained a master’s degree in organ performance. She married Dalton Devere Baldwin on August 12, 1956. Her sister-in-law, Melva Wright, brought fresh orchids for the wedding from Hawaii, where she and her husband were living. Orchids were her favorite flower, and she successfully raised a host of orchids in her home throughout her life. After getting married, she moved to Blue Mountain academy where she taught music. After a term at Blue Mountain Academy, the family moved to Reading, Pennsylvania where she taught music lessons and gave birth to her oldest daughter, Cheryl, in 1957. During this time, Dalton was educational superintendent for the Pennsylvania conference. Her second daughter, Yvonne, was born in 1962, shortly before the family moved to Loma Linda, California. Duane, their third child and only son, was born in Loma Linda, in 1964.

Barbara loved classical music and taught piano, organ, and music for more than 70 years. Originally, she taught at Loma Linda Elementary and Loma Linda Academy, and later taught piano lessons in her home. She was an outstanding, kind, and patient teacher—carrying up to 70 students at a time. Her students included her own children, grandchildren, and even prominent physicians within the community. Barbara actively supported the Music Teachers Association and was active in the Certificate of Merit Program and the Fine Arts Festival at Loma Linda University. Her nurturing nature was put to work when she worked with her husband Dalton to help care for her infant granddaughter, Katy, while Yvonne Baldwin Foster was in residency. She also supported Duane and Jennifer Baldwin extensively by nurturing Daniel and Elizabeth. She derived great pleasure from her relationships with her family, friends, and her students and was always delighted when they would visit her. Following Dalton’s death, a new love was kindled with her new beau named Chip. Chip was not rich, wasn’t tall and didn’t have a dark complexion. However, he was handsome and an excellent conversationalist. He was also very skilled at mimicking other people.

During her later life, Barbara put her business degree to work when she started a small business renting apartments. With perseverance and dedication, she was able to build this business. She continued to manage these apartments until a few days before her death. She was very artistic and liked watercolor painting with her daughter, Yvonne, and grandchildren. She enjoyed playing Chinese checkers and in a family tournament on her 90th birthday was crowned the grand champion. She leaves behind one brother, three children, and 8 grandchildren. She lives on in the hearts and minds of her family. Duane and Jennifer regularly hear Barbara’s laugh echoing through the house as a constant reminder of the joy that she brought to all of our lives (courtesy of Chip the talking rose-breasted cockatoo).

A visitation for Barbara will be held Friday, June 10, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3520 E Washington St, Colton, CA 92324. Following the visitation will be a committal service from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM at Montecito Memorial Park, 3520 E Washington St, Colton, CA 92324.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.montecitomemorialparkandmortuary.com for the Baldwin family.