Ruth Lillian (baker) Bauer

Ruth Lillian (Baker) Bauer of Wethersfield, passed away Thursday (September 4, 2008). Ruth lived in Wethersfield or South Hartford all of her life. She was the proprietor of the Olde Towne Doll Shoppe in Old Wethersfield for over 25 years and was known to many, both locally and farther afield, for her love of dolls both old and new. She will be remembered for her kindness and her grace and for her tremendous love of life. Ruth was the youngest of four children of Frank and Grace (Smith) Baker, all of whom predeceased her. As a young woman she worked as a professional dancer and later ran a dancing school. During World War II, she married a serviceman, Murton ""Buck"" Bauer, and their marriage lasted nearly 50 years until his death in 1994. Ruth leaves her only daughter, Susan Bauer King and her husband Jack King of Wakefield, MA; two grandchildren, James and Gillian King, also of Wakefield, MA; a niece, Roberta Protzman of Port Charlotte, FL; a nephew, Walter Baker, Jr., of Simsbury; and several grand-nieces and nephews. She leaves many wonderful and loyal friends. She also leaves her beloved pets. Funeral services will be Saturday, September 20, at 9:30 a.m. at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Calling hours are Friday, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111. For on-line expressions of sympathy please visit www.desopo.com.