Shirley A. Baker

Shirley passed away on May 13, 2026, peacefully with family by her side at Seashore Pointe. A Provincetown native, she was born on January 12, 1935, and graduated from Provincetown High School in 1954. She married on June 26, 1954, to the late Elmer J. Baker Jr., they were married for 47 years. She was a lifelong member of Saint Peter the Apostle Church.

Shirley had several jobs throughout her life. She waitressed at the Bonnie Doone Restaurant , Tips for Tops'n Restaurant, and the Howard Johnson's/Basil's. She then moved onto John's Footlong for 28 years until she retired. She was also responsible for the clerical work for both businesses she and her husband owned. They bought the Texaco gas station across from the Howard Johnson's, and before they sold it, they bought Mitch's Dune Toursup at the Provincetown Inn.

She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Edith (Ferreria) Perry and Joseph Perry, her older sister Mary Carol (Perry) Enos and niece Stacy Enos, and her husband Elmer J. Baker Jr.

Shirley enjoyed her family and friends. She enjoyed playing cards every weekend and dancing at the VFW to The Tradesmen. She enjoyed bingo and did candle pin bowling for many years at Anthony's Bowlaway. Then, she picked up on Ten Pin bowling at the Air Force Base in North Truro, until the base closed and she decided to join the bowling league at Ryan's Amusement in Yarmouth. She was a member of the VFW Post #3152 Women's Auxiliary.

Shirley was the heart and soul of our family, the glue that held everyone together. Her kitchen table was a sanctuary, and her home was a revolving door for everyone to stop in, have a cup of coffee or two and a chat. Her house was everyone's house. She loved having her family close and taking care of those that needed it, and she will be sorely missed not just by us, but by the community she was so deeply a part of.

Shirley leaves behind two daughters; Karen (Baker) Thomas and husband Steven of Provincetown, Annette (Baker) Racette and husband Kurt of North Carolina. Her brother, Joseph P Perry and wife Paula of Pennsylvania. Four grandchildren; Heath and Alicia Thomas of Provincetown, Christopher White and partner Rebecca Corbett of Eastham, and Jennifer (Racette) McCabe and husband Coty of North Carolina. Four great-grandchildren; Cyris DeVries of Dennis, Ava Thompson of North Carolina, and Bryson White, Scarlett Corbett of Eastham. Nephews; Christian Perry of Provincetown, Glenn and Scott Enos of Truro.

Calling hours are Tuesday, May 19" from 4:00-7:00pm at Nickerson Funeral Home, 340 Main Street, Wellfleet, 02667. A celebrated Mass will be Wednesday, May 20" at 11:00am at Saint Peters Church, 11 Prince Street, Provincetown, followed by the burial in Saint Peters Cemetery, Jerome Road.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Shirley's memory to Broad Reach Hospice at 390 Orleans Road, North Chatham, 02650; Provincetown Rescue at 25 Shankpainter Road, Provincetown, 02657; or Cape Cod Alzheimer's Family Support Center at 2095 Main Street, Brewster, 02631 for dementia research.

We would like to thank the dedicated staff at Seashore Pointe who cared for her over the past three and a half years and Broad Reach Hospice for the care and kindness you provided during her decline over this past year. We would also like to thank JoAnn Gaug and Lili Osowski for the care they provided while she was at home. It takes special people to do what you do, and we will forever be grateful for your kindness and big hearts.