Ann H. Baker, of Monaca, who exemplified altruistic dedication to the church, was welcomed into the embrace of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Wednesday evening, June 27, 2007, at The Medical Center, Beaver.
Born in Latrobe, Pa., Ann was a daughter of the late Stephen T. and Anna H. (Hedes) Burick. Mrs Baker was a devout member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Monaca, where she was employed as the sacristan for over 40 years, and faithfully attended daily Mass and Holy Communion. Her dedication and love for the church was displayed in numerous capacities as an officer of Catholic Daughters of America, a CCD teacher for over 17 years, a member of Christian Mothers, one who religiously cared for the church altar linens, and as one of the last surviving members of the Rosary/Altar Society. One of her passions was seeing beauty in the church and found great joy in decorating the church at Christmas. Several years ago she was granted the Father Marcus O’Brien Award for her selfless service to the church.
Mrs. Baker, who instilled in the children the value of the education, returned to the classroom herself as a student at CCBC for accounting classes. She was well traveled internationally with trips to Europe, Holy Lands and the Vatican. Her talents also included baking, cooking, and as a seamstress.
She leaves her husband of 61 years, John J. Baker; two sons, Jared J. Baker, of Virginia, and David Baker and his wife Patty, of Economy; two daughters, Annette Wright, of Monaca, and Janet Baker-Montgomery and her husband Dave Montgomery, also of Monaca; ten grandchildren, Dawson Wright and his fiancée Clara Zapata, Annette (Brian) Tarbuk, Bridgette (Jarod) Trunzo, David, Brian, Maria and Jared Baker, Steven Mozes and his fiancée Christina Bodnar, Alexis Mozes, and Davey Montgomery; two great-grand-children, Brian Robert and Matthew Michael Tarbuk; two brothers, Paul Burick and John Burick; three sisters, Mary Rose Milan, Margaret Muchnock, and Helen Chuff, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Ann was preceded in death by a son, Robert Baker in 1983; three brothers, Michael Burick, Joseph Burick, and Stephen Burick, and two sisters, infant Mary Burick and Cecilia Slabodnick.
Friends will be received today, July 1, 2007, from 1 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 1119 Washington Ave., Monaca, (724-775-0926), where prayers will be offered on Monday at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Monaca. Recitation of the Rosary will be held today at 7 p.m.
Interment will follow in St. Vincent Cemetery, Latrobe.
Memorial contributions may be made in Ann’s memory, if desired, to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 1409 Pennsylvania Ave., Monaca, PA 15061.