Margaret Horsfield Baker passed away peacefully on Nov. 23 at LincolnHealth – Miles Campus with family members gathered around her. Born on Sept. 19, 1926, in Santa Barbara, Cal., she was the daughter of Walter Rex and Hilda Binning Horsfield, who soon moved the family back to their native England, where Margaret, her elder brother Colin, and younger sister Norah attended school.
By the time Margaret was a teenager however, war clouds were gathering in Britain, and the family had returned to the U.S., settling on Cape Cod. Margaret finished high school at Oak Grove School in Maine, and then undertook training as a pediatric nurse at Boston Children’s Hospital. While working as a nurse, she was introduced to Robert W. Baker of Hingham, Mass., and they were married on Oct. 11, 1947. They settled in Damariscotta shortly after, and later moved to Newcastle in 1962, where they lived until their passing.
Margaret involved herself in many worthwhile community projects throughout her life, all while raising four children. From working at Miles Hospital rummages sales, leading a Girl Scout troop, hosting a Japanese AFS high school student who lived with her family and attended Lincoln Academy, and organizing the Congregational Church Women’s Fellowship and its food pantry and community suppers, Margaret was always busy giving to the community that she loved.
She and Bob moved the family to Bermuda in the late 50s for a period, so that Bob could work with her father on mechanizing quarrying of the local stone. Later in the late 60s, while Bob worked at home, she took all four children on a summer-long cross-country camping trip to many of the national parks. When the children were off on their own, Margaret undertook her college education in midlife, receiving her BA from UMA in 1973, and went on to become a teacher in area schools. She later started a retail business in Damariscotta with her partner Cis Phillips, selling locally made sweaters and crafts, which she and Cis ran for several years. She went on with her husband Bob to help found the Damariscotta River Association, for which she was secretary for many years.
When she had spare time, she travelled the world with People to People, and toured Russia and China. Everywhere she went, and in every project she worked on, people were drawn to her charm, kindness and generosity — and her wonderful smile. In her last years, she was cared for by the dedicated staff of Elder Power; Margaret was always cheerful and friendly and was much loved by all who cared for her. Her passing was followed three days later by the death of her husband, who declined rapidly after learning of the death of his beloved wife.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her older brother Colin; and her eldest son, Christopher Baker.
She is survived by her daughters, Catharine S. Baker of Spruce Head, and Cynthia Ball and husband Lance of Wenham, Mass.; son, Colin Baker and wife Elaine Cinciva of Freeport; sister, Norah Maling and husband George of Harpswell; grandchildren, Caitlin Snow Clark and husband Samuel and their young children Natalie and Cyrus of Rockport, and grandchildren Matthew Ball and Elizabeth Ball of Wenham, Mass.
A memorial service will be held, in conjunction with that of her husband Robert, at 1:30 p.m., Sat., Dec. 13, at the Second Congregational Church in Newcastle, where she and Robert attended and sang in the choir for many decades. The Rev. Ken Dale will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Second Congregational Church, PO Box 243, Newcastle, ME 04553; or Damariscotta River Association, PO Box 333, Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
