Barbara Frances (Herrick) Baker

Barbara Frances Herrick Baker, a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, nana and community member, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2024, at her home in Wolfeboro, NH, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. Her life was filled with a love for family, singing, gardens, painting and the lake.  

Barbara was born on July 18, 1939, in Beverly, MA, to Earle Foster Herrick and Sorine Jenny Ask Herrick. Barbara grew up in Beverly, MA with her family, including her older sister Jane Audrey (Harwood) and younger sister Virginia Louise (Field). She graduated from Beverly High School in 1957. She earned a B.S. in Business from the University of New Hampshire in 1961, where she was treasurer of her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega.

On September 16, 1961, Barbara married the love of her life Gary G. Baker at the Dane Street Congregational Church in Beverly, MA. The early years of their journey together took them to Watertown, Beverly Farms and North Beverly, MA, where they welcomed their first child, Karen in 1965. Gary was a Social Studies teacher at Hamilton Wenham Regional High School from 1962 to 1966. 

In 1966, the family moved to Chicago where Gary was Assistant Director of the Amherst College History Project. Their second daughter, Amy, was born there in 1968. They returned to Massachusetts, where they lived in South Hamilton where their son Kevin was born, in 1971. Gary and Barbara moved to Boxboro, MA in 1973 when Gary was named Assistant Superintendent for the Acton-Boxboro schools. 

Barbara's professional life included roles as a librarian at Blanchard Elementary School in Boxboro, MA, a secretary for a regional dining magazine publisher, and an administrative assistant at Digital Equipment Co. (DEC) in Stow, MA, where she received an Award of Excellence in May 1992. In 1991, Barbara and Gary moved to Hingham for Gary’s role as Superintendent of Schools in Hingham. While there, Barbara worked as an Administrative Assistant at Talbots.

Barbara always dreamed of living on a lake and eventually her dream came true when they bought a waterfront home/chalet on Balch Lake in North Wakefield in 1989, where they lived full-time upon retirement in 2001. Shortly after, in 2002, Barbara and Gary moved to Point Breeze on Lake Wentworth in Wolfeboro, NH. Barbara became an active part of the Point Breeze condominium community, serving as Clerk/Recording Secretary for the Board of Directors and participating on the Grounds Committee where she would further her love of gardening. She was also an active member of the Wolfeboro Congregational Church choir and the regional Clearlake’s Chorale for fourteen years.

Barbara spent her final few years in her beloved lake home cared for by her husband, children and a devoted team of caregivers. “Sweet Barbara” made the world a better place in so many ways with her bright smile, kind heart and unwavering commitment to her family.

Barbara will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and the communities she touched throughout her life. She leaves her husband, Gary Baker, daughter Karen Cvitkovich and her husband David Cvitkovich and their children, Matthew and Sorine; daughter Amy Amico, her children Kyle, Madison and Emma Chute and her husband, David Amico; son Kevin Baker, his wife Robin Baker and daughter, Penelope Baker, and many other loving nieces and nephews, family and friends.

Calling hours will be held at the Lord Funeral Home, 23 Club Lane, Wolfeboro, NH on Thursday, July 11, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. A Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at 4:00 pm at the First Congregational Church, 115 South Main Street, Wolfeboro, NH followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation (www.alzfdn.org) are preferred.

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