Isabel N. Baker's Obituary
In Celebration of the Life of Isabel Stokes Nitschke Baker
1917-2009
Isabel Stokes Nitschke Baker died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, May 24, 2009, at the Johnson Center at Falcon’s Landing in Potomac Falls, Virginia. She was surrounded and comforted by her loving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Notwithstanding a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease, her gentle spirit found joy in her daily life and the beauty surrounding her, gifts which she shared with her family and friends throughout her entire life.
Born to the late Dr. William H. and Isabel Stokes Nitschke in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 1, 1917, Isabel moved with her family back to the United States at the age of two. She grew up in New York State, where she spent her childhood summers roaming the beautiful outdoors with her siblings, family and relatives in Old Forge and Lake Placid. As a child, she learned to appreciate and love each flower petal and leaf, caterpillar and butterfly, marveling in the beauty of God’s creations. She celebrated nature in her art, graduating from Syracuse University with a Bachelor in Fine Arts degree in 1939, with certification in Art Education.
Isabel is predeceased by her husband of sixty years, the late Cdr. Emile William Baker. His naval career led the family to a life of service to our country, and travel throughout the United States and abroad. Their tour of duty on Saipan, one of the Marianas Islands, in 1948 instilled in them and their three young children a love of ocean, beaches, and most of all, collecting beautiful shells and driftwood. As a Navy wife, Isabel embraced each move and tour of duty. Always ready to explore new places and cultures, she especially loved the adventures of living in Ogden, Utah and Paris, France. Following retirement in 1976, Isabel and Bill settled in the Pinehurst NC area, where they enjoyed many happy years together, playing golf, serving their Catholic parish, and returning often to their favorite North Carolina beaches for relaxation and family reunions.
Isabel is survived by her loving children, Bill and Denise Baker of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Tom and Terry Baker of Washington, DC; and Peter and Mary Alice (Baker) Baish of Fairfax Station, VA.
She was adored by her grandchildren: Meredith Baish Massey (Thomas Massey) of Wilmington, NC; Sarah Kathryn Baish Milin (Marc Milin) of Ashburn, VA; Elizabeth Baish Maculo (Gregory Maculo) of Houston, TX; Peter Thomas Baish (Mary Lee Baish) of Cockeysville MD; and Katya Evans Baker of Kuala Lumpur.
Isabel also delighted in the birth of each new great-grandchild, and lovingly welcomed their wonderful visits with their parents: Emma (7) and Harrison (2) Massey; Nathaniel (5) and Anna (1) Milin; and Isabel (4) and Leonard (two weeks old) Maculo.
She is also survived by her dear brother, Dr. Richard Nitschke of San Antonio, TX; sister, Olive Nitschke Sherman of Battlement Mesa, CO; and brother, Dr. James P. Nitschke of Leesburg, FL; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Olimpia Guerra, who showered Isabel daily with tender loving care; the kind staff of the Johnson Center and Falcon’s Landing, where she had resided since 1998; and the very caring staff and wonderful volunteers of Evercare Hospice of Loudoun County. Isabel volunteered with Hospice for many years during her retirement in North Carolina, and they cared for her with a special love, as one of their own, as her life gently slipped away.
With her kind heart and loving soul, Isabel made lifelong friends throughout her life, wherever she went. No friendship was more valued by her than that of Mrs. John C. (Dee) Miller, a resident of Falcon’s Landing and beloved family friend.
Our dear Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother, who taught us through her example to love unconditionally, will live always within our hearts and souls, and in the beautiful nature surrounding us.
[Other men’s] dead cease to love [them]
and the land of their nativity
as soon as they pass the portals of the tomb
and wander away beyond the stars.
They are soon forgotten and never return.
Our dead never forget
this beautiful world that gave them being.
They still love its verdant valleys,
its murmuring rivers,
its magnificent mountains,
sequestered vales
and verdant lined lakes and bays,
and ever yearn in tender fond affection
over the lonely hearted living,
and often return
from the happy hunting ground
to visit, guide, console, and comfort them.
Chief Seattle, 1854
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