Marie Virginia Baker
June 17, 1929 ~ February 27, 2018
Marie Virginia (McDonald) Baker, age 88, of Vienna, Virginia, passed away on February 27, 2018, at Reston Hospital. Marie, one of twins, was born June 17, 1929, in Butler, Pennsylvania, to Jerry McDonald and Myrtle (Kelly) McDonald. Marie grew up in Arlington, Virginia, where she enjoyed playing with her twin sister, Marida, and their niece, Shirley.
Marie was a devoted wife to Harmond Claude Baker for fifty one years and loving mother to James Claude Baker and Jerri Baker Steinkraus. Marie grew up in Arlington, Virginia, and worked at Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia, after the family returned from a five year tour at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. She retired after twenty years of service.
After the death of their son-in-law, Lawrence Steinkraus, Major General, USAF, Marie and Claude moved in with their daughter, Jerri, and granddaughter, Ashley.
Marie’s first and foremost love was always for her family, especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as countless friends she made throughout her lifetime. She loved nature, handmade crafts, music and especially Christmas! She would always say that her love for Christmas was a gift she received from her father and she shared that gift with all who knew her. All Christmas trees in the family home were adorned with ornaments she made by hand and the sound of her favorite song, Silent Night, could be heard playing in the background.
Even after developing Dementia, Marie remained a precious, loving person who saw beauty in everything and everyone. She was truly a remarkable daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.
Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Claude; her parents, brothers and sisters: Richard, Charles, Sherman, Pauline, Geneva, and Vivian; son-in-law, Lawrence Steinkraus, and grandson, Eric Steinkraus.
Marie is survived by her son, James (Gerianne) Baker and her daughter, Jerri Steinkraus; grandchildren: Heather (Michael) Root, Lt. Colonel Christopher (Brandy) Baker, USAF, Dr. Jonathan (Suzanne) Baker, Allison (Zachery) Shuler, Ashley Steinkraus, Dr. Lawrence (Amy) Steinkraus, Jr., and SMSgt. Michael Steinkraus, USAF; thirteen great grandchildren; her twin sister and friend, Marida (George) Binsted and many nieces and nephews.
The family requests that contributions be made to the Alzheimers Association in lieu of flowers.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 8601 Wolftrap Rd., Vienna, VA on Tuesday, April 3rd at 10 AM. Inurnment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Marie was a devoted wife to Harmond Claude Baker for fifty one years and loving mother to James Claude Baker and Jerri Baker Steinkraus. Marie grew up in Arlington, Virginia, and worked at Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia, after the family returned from a five year tour at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. She retired after twenty years of service.
After the death of their son-in-law, Lawrence Steinkraus, Major General, USAF, Marie and Claude moved in with their daughter, Jerri, and granddaughter, Ashley.
Marie’s first and foremost love was always for her family, especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as countless friends she made throughout her lifetime. She loved nature, handmade crafts, music and especially Christmas! She would always say that her love for Christmas was a gift she received from her father and she shared that gift with all who knew her. All Christmas trees in the family home were adorned with ornaments she made by hand and the sound of her favorite song, Silent Night, could be heard playing in the background.
Even after developing Dementia, Marie remained a precious, loving person who saw beauty in everything and everyone. She was truly a remarkable daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.
Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Claude; her parents, brothers and sisters: Richard, Charles, Sherman, Pauline, Geneva, and Vivian; son-in-law, Lawrence Steinkraus, and grandson, Eric Steinkraus.
Marie is survived by her son, James (Gerianne) Baker and her daughter, Jerri Steinkraus; grandchildren: Heather (Michael) Root, Lt. Colonel Christopher (Brandy) Baker, USAF, Dr. Jonathan (Suzanne) Baker, Allison (Zachery) Shuler, Ashley Steinkraus, Dr. Lawrence (Amy) Steinkraus, Jr., and SMSgt. Michael Steinkraus, USAF; thirteen great grandchildren; her twin sister and friend, Marida (George) Binsted and many nieces and nephews.
The family requests that contributions be made to the Alzheimers Association in lieu of flowers.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 8601 Wolftrap Rd., Vienna, VA on Tuesday, April 3rd at 10 AM. Inurnment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
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Marie’s lovingly handmade ornaments have graced our Christmas tree for many years… We will always cherish them. This tiny mouse was made with such skill and is one of my favorites; I will think of her with great fondness every time we decorate our tree.
– Amy Steinkraus
What a beautiful face. I will always cherish the many years we spent together and how much we were loved by our parents and family. We were the last of eight children and how we were loved by all of them with the next oldest being 13 years older then we were, Our family always loved Christmas and invited many friends without family to help us put up our Christmas tree. Those were wonderful years. Love and miss my best friend.
We will miss you dear Marie!
?-Amy, Larry, Charles, and Laura
My Beautiful Mom ~
There are no words adequate enough to express how much I love you and miss you. To have you as my mother has been such a beautiful and special gift. You taught me so much growing up that has helped me become the person I am today. Most of what I learned, however, came in the final years as you battled Dementia and I had the opportunity to rediscover and appreciate even the smallest things through your eyes. Yes, you taught me to appreciate the little things in life because as we get older, we realize they are the big things. You taught me to take the time to enjoy and appreciate seeing a leaf shaped like a mitten, a tiny acorn, a bird feather, a rock, seashell or small pebble. I found the special box in your room which held so many of these special treasures.
I will forever be grateful that I was able to care for you in my home. Mostly, I will forever be grateful that God blessed me with you as my mom. Our family will remain close and always be there for one another and we will continue the beautiful traditions that we were raised to enjoy.
I love you, Mom, forever and always ~
Jerri
My Aunt Marie had her life celebration today. She is one of the sweetest people I have ever known. She is well loved. She was one of those people that every minister, priest and pastor wants to preside over their funerals – she was that sweet and kind – no superlative would be exaggeration. She could explain the beauty in beautiful to a child – she saw the world that way. Amazing woman. She left a lasting legacy. Her family is a reflection of who she was as a person. So thankful to be a part of what the Lord has done through her and Uncle Claude.