E Irene Baker

Tuftonboro, NH

E. Irene (Lawson) Baker of Tuftonboro New Hampshire went home to our Lord peacefully, surrounded by family, on Monday June 12th 2023.
She was born in Hartford CT on May 13th 1929 to Eleanor A. (Hult) Lawson and George E.Lawson. At age 5, she went to live with her Swedish born great aunt and uncle who raised her. They taught Irene much about her Swedish background, especially traditional Swedish cooking. Irene was educated in the Worcester school system and attended the Worcester art museum's School of Art.

Irene was a member of the Eastern Star lodge in Shrewsbury MA. She was a Cub Scout leader and a Girl Scout volunteer she was also a member of the hikers in Melvin Village New Hampshire and the bridge club in Wolfeboro NH.

October 24th 1959, Irene married George Baker with whom she shared a very happy marriage
for 54 years. In 1973, while living in Worcester, Irene and George purchased the cottage in
Tuftonboro, NH on the “Big Lake,” where they and their children enjoyed summers. In 1975 they moved permanently from Worcester to their renovated cottage in Tuftonboro. Irene loved New Hampshire. They eventually sold their lake home and built a new house in Tuftonboro. After George died, Irene continued to live in the new house they loved.
 

Irene's cooking and baking skills, especially Swedish cooking, were well known to friends, family and the community. She loved entertaining and sending her guests home with “leftovers.” She enjoyed decorating all types of cakes, her favorites were birthdays and weddings. When asked if she could contribute something to any occasion most people quickly said, “dessert!” She was always the life of the party and threw many dinner parties. She was a very generous person, when all of her children were grown, she “adopted” the neighborhood kids and was a favorite of many in the town. Irene was also an accomplished artist in oil painting. Even though she was often critical of her work, or brushed it off as “nothing special.”

When their daughter Nancy died, Irene and George adopted her daughter, their granddaughter Marenna Frances (Merrow Baker) Patterson whom they raised.
Irene was predeceased by her daughter, Nancy I (Dickey) Merrow, her son William S Dickey. Her husband George Baker died in January 2013.

She is survived by her sister Beverly A Lawson Gifford, brother James Norris, son Lenard A Baker, his wife Samone Baker and daughter Marenna Patterson, her husband Heath Patterson, along with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A graveside service will take place on July 13th 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Tuftonboro Town Hall Cemetery. Flowers can be sent to Lord Funeral home of Wolfeboro. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lakes Region Humane Society or to the Wounded Warriors Project.

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