Jacqueline O. Baker

Jacqueline was born on August 26, 1959, in Bedford–Stuyvesant Brooklyn at King County Hospital to Norvell and Olivia Baker. She was strong-willed, determined, and independent. Everyone agrees that she was, “responsible right out of the womb.” Jacqueline grew up to become a woman of family and community with a sharp wit and an exuberant personality.

Jacqueline’s keen sense of focus and passion for education led to her success as a student. She and her sister were part of the first cohort of students to be bussed from their majority Black neighborhood to attend newly integrated schools in Borough Park Brooklyn. In spite of her new environment, she was a scholar from elementary school at PS 230, Montauk Junior High School, to Evander High School. She was so focused, that even as a teenager, she had a morning routine of coffee and catching up on the news.

Never to be outdone, Jacqueline was known for her smooth moves on the dance floor, melodic singing voice, and bright smile. She was active in student life and sang in both the middle and high school chorus. As a scholar, she participated in College Bound and had the reputation for never EVER submitting incomplete work nor did she ever show up for anything late. These characteristics foreshadow what would be her future endeavors.

Jacqueline continued her education at the College of Mount Saint Vincent where she received a degree in Early Childhood Education. Ranking education as a high priority in her life, she enrolled in Hunter College to pursue a Master’s in Education. Her very first teaching job was for special education in the city of Manhattan. In a few years, she landed her first and last teacher position in the Yonkers Public School district. She was a dedicated teacher in the Yonkers Public School District for 35 years.

Beyond the classroom, Jacqueline was passionate about community engagement and volunteerism. She was active in the Yonkers Federation of Teachers, the New York State United Teachers Civil and Human Rights Committee, and the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). She also served as a district leader for the Yorktown Democratic Party, and as the Vice-President for the Peekskill Chapter of the Westchester Black Women's Political Caucus. She always contributed her time and energy to important causes and this activism only increased during her retirement.

Jacqueline's greatest advocacy and legacy work were regarding sickle cell anemia. In 2019 she founded her non-profit, the Westchester Sickle Cell Disease Outreach. As its CEO she wrote, "Our mission is to bring awareness and support for sickle cell disease patients and families living in Westchester County where they can learn from each other to build their strength, body, and mind to live longer, healthier lives." Jacqueline was honored globally for her tireless efforts to raise sickle cell awareness.

Outside of teaching some of her favorite hobbies included traveling to new places and bringing back a refrigerator magnet from each destination. She enjoyed visiting new restaurants and sampling new cuisines. Her love for films was infectious as she weighed in on which ones were Emmy and Oscar-worthy. She loved to decorate her home, carefully selecting art and knick-knacks that represented her taste and culture. She was known as “Ms. Pottery Barn.” Overall, Jacqueline was a collector of memories who dedicated time to photography and assembling photo albums with the precious memories of family and friends. She loved to exercise and spent time cycling through the countryside of Westchester.

Most of all, Jacqueline loved people and she loved hard. She showed up for her family and friends in ways known and unknown. She loved passionately and furiously! Jacqueline lived a full life on her own terms.

Jacqueline leaves to cherish her memory three sisters, Loretta Halyard of Harlem, NY, Janet Rivers of Summerville, SC, and Nadine Baker of Bronx, NY; two sons, Norvell P. Davis of Yonkers, NY, and Khalil K. Davis (Theresa S. Thames) of Princeton, NJ; and one beloved grandchild, Layla N. Davis of Hartsdale, NY, and a host of nieces, nephews, many cousins, and friends.

A visitation for Jacqueline will be held Monday, June 20, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Whalen & Ball Funeral Home, 168 Park Ave, Yonkers, NY 10703. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, June 21, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 168 Park Ave, Yonkers, NY 10703. A repast will occur Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 12:30 PM at Rory Dolan's Restaurant, 890 McLean Ave, Yonkers, NY 10704.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whalenandballfh.com for the Baker family.