Cynthia D. Baker

January 18, 1928 - 2016

Cynthia Dreher was born on January 18,1928 in Benton Harbor, MI. Unlike most babies in 1928, she was born in a hospital, because her parent’s first baby was stillborn. There was great rejoicing at her arrival as a healthy baby! Her younger sibling, Dennis Dreher, was born on Halloween of 1930. Cindy was a bright and pretty little girl, who loved to read and to care for the family’s pets; Cocker Spaniels, cats and canaries .Her love of reading began at an early age. Children’s books were rare in the Great Depression, but her parents gave her The ”Book House” Books series, with lovely Art Deco illustrations. which were her treasured early possessions. The Dreher family was fortunate during the Depression because Cindy’s father was never out of work. Upon her high school graduation, Cindy enrolled in DePauw University, in Greencastle ,IN. At DePauw, she majored in English, pledged the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, and met the love of her life, Bob Baker. Bob introduced Cynthia to the Episcopal Church. She was confirmed in 1948. For the rest of her life, Cynthia was devoted to the Episcopal Church. In 1949 Bob and  Cynthia were married at Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles, MI. The newly-weds then moved to Schenectady, NY where Bob worked as a manager for General Electric Co. Cynthia worked as a reporter for the local paper at a time when women journalists were only assigned to write for the ”Women’s Page” Her favorite assignment was an interview with the legendary folk artist, Grandma Moses. In 1952 Bob was drafted into the Army and deployed to the Korean War. Cynthia moved back to her parents’ home in MI while Bob was overseas. On 8/1/1952 Cindy and Bob’s first child, Betsy was born. Bob did not meet Betsy until he returned from the Korean War in 1954. On April 25, 1956, Cynthia gave birth to James Martin Baker. The Bakers then bought a newly built ranch-style home just outside Niles on a large lot with mature walnut trees and black raspberry bushes and room for a large vegetable garden. A Labrador Retriever and 2 cats rounded out the family. Cynthia was an awesome Mom and she found time to serve the Church in many ways and to help the Community as an active member of The Niles Service League and the PTA.  After building their home, little money was left for furniture. So Bob and Cindy began frequenting auctions and Antique Sales, checking out Library Books to learn about antiques. “Antiquing” became a shared passion and eventually their business. Over the years their home became filled with 300+ year old art and furniture and they became nationally known antique dealers. After BOB’s work took the family to Pittsburgh, Pa in 1 Cindy began to serve the Church at the Diocesan level. She became one of the first women to serve as a deputy to General Convention. She voted in favor of the ordination of women.

Bob and Cindy retired to Sun Lakes, AZ and thus became members of SMEC. In her years in AZ Cindy focused on spoiling her 4 granddaughters: Abby, Katie, Emily and Amanda. She also spoiled 2 Siamese cats, Lily and Gracie. Cindy bravely fought both non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Breast Cancer, never missing a Sunday at SMEC where she was interred after succumbing to a stroke at age 88.