G. Margaret Baker

G. Margaret Baker, 66, of Olympia, Washington, went home to Heavenly Father on Monday, December 26, 2011. Margaret died peacefully at home after a wonderful Christmas day with her church family and friends. As a spiritual woman, Margaret loved to sing in the choir and was able to sing out loud one final time Christmas day. Church members told Margaret’s family that she glowed as she sang the Christmas songs, and while Margaret was hurting, she sang with exuberant Christmas spirit.

Margaret was born Glenna Margaret Baker on September 25th, 1945 at St. Luke’s hospital in historic downtown Boise, Idaho. However, her family moved and Margaret grew up Pendleton, Oregon with her 4 sisters, one brother, and of course Grandma and Grandpa Baker. Being raised in a large family had its challenges. Margaret says, “I found peace and quiet by getting out of the house in order to take long walks in nature. The beauty of God’s world touched my heart at an early age and I saw the beauty of the earth; I could openly talk to Heavenly Father in the quiet midst of nature.”

In the summers of Margaret’s childhood she was hired out to do a variety of jobs: collecting chicken eggs at age 6, motel cleaning and housework at age 7, baking pies at age 12, and waitressing at a truck stop around age 14. Then, at the ripe old age of 15, Margaret began to hand wash, starch, and iron shirts the old fashioned way for 5 train conductors up in the mountains above Pendleton. Mind you, Margaret did not have the luxury of electricity to get her work done. In 9th grade, she began work as a butcher and chopped meat through her senior year in high school.

Loving art, Margaret was finally able to take an art class in high school. The art teacher told Margaret she was so awful that she should transfer in to another class and quit painting. Did that stop Margaret? NO! She stayed in art class for two more years. In 10th grade, Margaret worked as a part-time long distance, information, and mobile/marine operator. She did this for an additional 6 years after graduating high school in Pendleton, Oregon.

After high school, Margaret married, was baptized, and gave birth to three beautiful children. First came Brennen. Then 3 years later, Timothy, and finally, a little girl they would nickname Kari. Ambitiously but with great heart, Margaret embarked on a very busy path of motherhood, education, and finding her own way in life. There would be difficult years, cancer, and struggles ahead.

Over the years Margaret earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Washington State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She taught courses at WSU for two years and then taught for 6 years at Western Washington University. In her younger days, Margaret worked as a mechanic on Boeing 727 tails and even became an executive secretary for Boeing. Margaret also managed an ice cream and hamburger store; she operated a day care center in her home for 6 children, and worked as a seamstress in a tailor shop.

Margaret was a tour guide at the College of Veterinary Medicine at WSU developing a two projector slide show with the new technology. Her daughter Karen loved to follow Margaret around WSU during this time and see all the animals. Margaret then worked as a secretary for 8 years in order to get through college and provide for her 3 children.

While living in Pullman, Margaret wrote a weekly news column in the local paper called “Out on a Limb.” She loved writing the column and it was one of the more popular columns in the paper. Then, Margaret decided to develop a special leadership training program and presented it to secretaries and assistant secretaries for DSHS with help from Bill Fitzer. Margaret also trained adults for the Governor of Washington including prison guards, correctional officers and sheriffs, DSHS welfare intake workers, and volunteer managers.

As an adult, Margaret had the privilege and joy of traveling extensively throughout the United States and Canada. She worked on Governor advisory committees traveling to present workshops and was a keynote speaker. Margaret also owned and operated a frame shop for 7 years called Stevens Frame Factory and Gallery. Her daughter loved to decorate the windows with Ansel Adams prints. She was even asked to run for Mayor’s office. The Party had raised the money and had sample billboards ready. It was a great time. Margaret also became a Veterans Advisor, wrote grants, and went on a Crystal Heart 6-day retreat. Just to keep from being idle, Margaret developed and edited six DSHS interactive training programs.

Margaret’s artistic side shone brightly over the years in flower arranging, oil painting, watercolors, writing poetry, and building her own home out at Cedar Flats. She loved to sew clothing for her grandkids, and Margaret became “Grammy” to: Gabriel, Dennis, Terre, Chloe, Jaydin, Jordin, and the newest addition Jessa. Margaret delighted in sending books, packages, cards, and letters to her grandkids and great grandchildren.

Margaret will be forever cherished and greatly missed by all her family and friends. A great thank you to her extended family, Ward 3, and Bishop Anderson for the kindness and love they gave so willingly over the years. Also, many thanks to Ruby, Sue, and the people of her co-op for their love and support.