Susan (Suzie) Lee Baker passed away May 1, 2007. Suzie was born in Tacoma on Dec. 15, 1946 as the oldest child of Ralph and Irene Baker. Raised in rural Olympia with her three younger brothers, she graduated with honors from North Thurston High School in 1965. Her education continued at Centrailia Community College and Whitworth College in Spokane, where she once again received her degree, a B.A. in Literature with honors in 1969.

Suzie selected a teaching position in Oak Harbor School District from over a dozen other job offers. She taught kindergarten for 28 years until her retirement due to illness.

She was very involved in the community, especially the Senior Center. A board member of the American Association of University Women, she also belonged to the Sons of Norway, the Red Hat Society, T.O.P.S., and the Oak Harbor Book Club. Suzie was an accomplished poet, having had her work appear in several publications.

She is survived by her lifelong friend Rose Schaller of Olympia; brothers Brian (and his wife Vickie) Baker of Albany, Ore., and Brent Baker of Wolf Creek, Ore.; nephews Kyle and Erik Baker, Nathan and Brennan Baker; and Aunt Signe LaMont of Spanaway.

A memorial service will be held at the Oak Harbor Senior Center, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, May 19. Please bring pictures, stories and remembrances of Suzie’s life to share.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made in her name to Friends of the Guemus Island Library, 5293 Guemus Island Rd., Anacortes, WA 98221, or Whidbey Playhouse, 730 S.E. Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor, WA 98277 or Friends of the Oak Harbor Library, P.O. Box 1838, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.