Margaret Mary Baker

Margaret, also known as “Marge” and “Peggy” to friends, was born in New York, New York on December 5, 1930, the daughter of the late Denis and Mary (Reilly) Casey. She was the eldest daughter of seven children, growing up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with her parents, brothers and sisters, who lovingly referred to her as “Sister.” Marge graduated from Holy Name of Jesus Elementary School and the Assisium Business School run by the Franciscan Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. Marge also attended Hunter College for two years.

On February 1, 1958, Marge married her beloved husband, Thomas J. Baker and welcomed four children. Marge and Tom enjoyed 24 wonderful years of marriage until Tom passed on April 18, 1982.

Committed to assisting her family, Marge forwent a college degree and entered the full-time work force. She continued to deploy her intellectual strength and incredibly fast and accurate typing and shorthand skills throughout her life, graciously assisting colleagues, family and friends. Working in various positions over the years, Marge was always up for a challenge and joined one of the first groups of executive assistants at Chase Home Mortgage to learn the Wang Word Processing System, a predecessor to personal computers. Marge culminated her career as an executive assistant at the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, retiring in the late 1990’s to enjoy time with family, friends and the blessings of her grandchildren.

For Marge, family and friends were her priority and she touched all she met with her quiet generosity, sincere friendship and sharp wit. She treasured every gathering with her family and friends, bringing her joy to every minute, whether it was a wedding, holiday, senior event or dinner at home. Marge loved music and dance and was known to shine on (and sometimes even clear) the dance floor when Irish dancing with her favorite partner, Tom. Marge joyously devoted her life to her family but always had time to assist others. Marge will be remembered for her many acts of charity, including teaching catechism for the Archdiocese of New York for more than 40 years and working with Mother Theresa’s Missionaries of Charity at a soup kitchen in Newark, New Jersey for over 20 years.

Marge is survived by her daughter Marie and her son-in-law Michael Pope, and their children, Siena, Caleigh, Liam and Tyson, her daughter-in-law Amy Baker and her children, Emily and her partner Laura and their son, Brady, Thomas and his wife Emily, William and his wife Caroline and Anne, and her daughter Maureen and her son-in-law John Fialcowitz, and their children, Michael and Sean.

Marge is also survived by her brother Denis, sister-in-law Mary Ann and brother-in-law Jack O’Leary, and her many cherished nieces and nephews. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Tom, her sons Michael G. Baker and Thomas J. Baker, her sisters Anna Connolly, Catherine Karp and Barbara O’Brien, brothers, Reverend Kevin M. Casey, C.P. and Thomas Casey and her sister-in-law Margaret O’Leary.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 12, 2026 at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 2 Fremont Avenue in Park Ridge, New Jersey. Family and friends may visit between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, 2026 at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road in Westwood, New Jersey. The Service of Committal and Burial will be private on a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Several Sources Shelter, https://www.severalsources.org/get-involved/donate/.