Audrey Baker

Audrey Baker (Peart) passed away the morning of Sunday, May 4th, in Vista, California, after a short battle with health issues. She leaves behind many friends and family members, and she will be missed by all who knew her.

Audrey was born June 2nd, 1929 in Annawan Township, Illinois. Her father was Gail McDermand Peart, a farmer, and her mother was Alice Peart (Crosland), a homemaker. Audrey grew up on the family farm in Kewanee with her parents, an older brother, Robert Peart, and a younger sister, Greta Gail Peart (both now deceased). After graduating High School, she moved to Omaha, Nebraska, and got a job with an insurance company. In Omaha, she met and fell in love with Henry Louis Baker, a carpenter and Navy veteran, of Omaha. They were married at Hanscom Park Methodist Church in Omaha, on May 24, 1947, and were married for 55 years, until his death in 2002. Henry and Audrey had two sons, Raymond Baker, of L.A. and Leonard Baker, (now deceased), of Green Valley, AZ.

After their sons were grown and on their own, the Bakers moved around the country, wherever Henry’s work as a Construction Supervisor took them: Kansas, Tucson, Dallas, Pullman Washington, Phoenix, and North Dakota, before settling down in Vista, California. Audrey made friends wherever they lived, but she especially enjoyed her time with the Vista Del Mar community, playing cards, participating in activities, and even distributing a local newsletter in the neighborhood. She joined the “Culture Caravan” for many of their outings, and she loved ocean cruises, sailing along the west coast from Alaska to Central America, crossing the Equator several times. She also volunteered for the UCSC Women’s Health Initiative. A woman of faith, she was a member of the congregation of Grace Presbyterian Church, Vista, for decades.

Audrey is survived by Son Raymond (Colleen), Daughter-in-law Doreen, as well as grandchildren Natasha Baker (Erin O’Brien), of Cincinnati, Henry Baker (Allie), of Brooklyn and twins Joseph Baker, of Brooklyn and Roxanne Baker Bernard (Andrew), of L.A. Audrey also leaves 5 great-grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren.

Audrey wanted cremation, and her ashes will be placed alongside those of her husband Henry in the Fort Rosecrans Cemetery on Monday, June 23rd. The internment will be a private family service.