Catherine V. Baker

She worked for the Federal Government for 30.5 years, 4 years with the Department of the Navy, and 26.5 years with the National Institutes of Health, retiring in 1992 as a contract specialist with the National Cancer Institute.

She was born in Takoma Park, MD in 1934. She attended the University of Maryland, and graduated from Columbia Union College in Takoma Park, MD.

Cathy was an active Republican and a former election official, a member of the Olney Women’s Republican Club, the American Association for University Women, the USPHS Officer’s Wives Club, and a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. She was an associate member of the Rock Creek Women’s Republican Club, and the League of Republican Women of the District of Columbia. She also did volunteer work. In 1977, she accompanied her husband to Zurich, Switzerland, where they lived for 5 years, and where she was active in the American Women’s Club.

Cathy is the wife of the late Dr. Carl G. Baker, former Director of the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, and former Medical Director of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Zurich, Switzerland.

Her marriage to Robert E. Kibler, Sr., resulted in three children, but ended in divorce.

Survivors include two sons, Dr. Robert Kibler, Jr. of Minot, ND, Dr. Bruce Kibler of Sigmaringen, Germany, and a daughter, Kathleen V. Kibler, J.D. of Olney, MD; stepdaughters, Jeannette Jefferies, RN, MS, CCRN of Millsboro, DE, Cathy Schafer of Seaford, DE, and predeceased by stepson, David Moquin of DE. She’s also survived by 7 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, and one step great-grandchild (Baby Myles was born just over a week before her passing). She was also predeceased by her ten brothers and sisters, including two brothers, Gordon Smith, of Wyoming, Stacey Smith of Olney, MD, and sisters Jessie O’Meyer of Boise, Idaho, and Peggy Reed of Selbyville, DE.

She was a force of nature and will be deeply missed.

A visitation for Catherine will be held Sunday, September 14, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20904. On Monday September 15, 2025 at 10:00 AM a funeral service will be held at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home. Following the service a committal and burial will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20906. After the burial, all are invited to a celebration of life at 12:00 PM at Salt and Vine, 3308 Olney Sandy Spring Rd., Olney, MD 20832.