Mary E. Baker

Mary Baker was born in Portland on October 12, 1916 to Croatian parents who had immigrated a few years earlier. She was the second of four children. Mary attended St. Ignatius Elementary School and Commerce High School, now named Cleveland. She married Vernon Baker in the late 1930’s and their only child Sharon was born in 1939. Mary clerked at a neighborhood variety store when the family lived on SE 22nd and Powell. Then for several years she sold women’s clothing at Meier and Frank, now Macy’s. Mary’s parents gave each child a plot of land. Mary and two sisters built houses on their lots at this complex on SE 74th and Center. Vern and Mary enjoyed their house and yard. They even built a greenhouse and became members of the Oregon Orchid Society. They won some show ribbons for their orchids. Mary became known for her baking talents. Vern and Mary were devoted to each other and to their daughter Sharon. Unfortunately, Vern had a massive heart attack and died in 1980 at only 64 and a half years of age. Mary has lived with her daughter since 1988. She was absorbed into Sharon’s life of teaching, cooking, and gardening. Mary continued to grow orchids in Sharon’s kitchen under the skylight. Mary would have been 97 in October. Funeral Services will be held Wed. Aug. 14, 2013 at 12 p.m. Noon at the Wilhelm’s Portland Memorial Funeral Chapel, 6705 SE 14th Ave, Portland, (503) 236-4141. In lieu of flowers contributions would be appreciated to the Arthritis Foundation of Oregon, 9700 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219 or online at www.arthritis.org/oregon/ Service Information