Betty Ann Baker

Betty Ann Baker, 92, of Emmitsburg, Maryland, passed away on August 30, 2024, with her loving family by her side.  Born August 12, 1932, Betty Ann was the daughter of the late John J. and Pauline (Havner) Hollinger.  She married her childhood sweetheart and best friend, Guy A. Baker, Jr. on December 26, 1955 (the day after Christmas).  She and Guy lived their entire lives in Emmitsburg.  Guy was Mayor of Emmitsburg; and Betty Ann was the First Lady of Emmitsburg.

Betty Ann graduated from Emmitsburg High School in 1950 where she played on the school’s basketball team.  She then entered Towson State Teachers College (now Towson University) graduating in 1954 and also played on their basketball team.  After graduating from college, Betty Ann began teaching at the Emmitsburg Elementary School.

After marriage, Betty Ann put teaching to the side and had six wonderful children.  While raising her children, she went back to part-time teaching as a homeschool teacher and traveled throughout Frederick County for many years working with over 150 students.  She was a member of St. Joseph’s Church where she was a volunteer counter, EHS Alumni Association; Towson University Alumni Association, Life Member of Gettysburg Hospital Auxiliary where she served as the Treasurer and volunteered for years at the Auxiliary’s Thrift Shop; Member of the VFW Auxiliary; Past member and Treasurer of the Emmitsburg Council of Churches; Member of the Vigilant Hose Company Auxiliary and still volunteered at their many fundraising events and volunteers at weekly bingos; volunteered with the American Red Cross Blood Drives at Mount Saint Mary’s for several years; continued volunteering at the Emmitsburg Food Bank; and a member of the Wednesday afternoon Bridge Club for many years.  In 2018 she was inducted into the Vigilant Hose Company’s Hall of Fame for her dedication over the many years of service to the Company.

Betty Ann had a love for sports as she was an avid fan for the Baltimore Orioles and Baltimore Ravens   And, she always had a cheer for the Mount Saint Mary’s sports teams.  Further, Betty Ann and Guy could always be seen at the sporting events of their grandchildren.  After Guy’s passing, she and Gabe continued to go to the grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s sporting events – hardly missing any events.

Betty Ann loved to sing, dance, play the piano, and loved Bingo.  But most of all she adored each and every one of her 48 family members and being with them.  She loved the annual family beach vacations and the annual “girls beach weekends” with her daughters and granddaughters.  She valued her many trips to Aruba.

Betty Ann is survived by one son, Guy A. (Gabe) Baker, III; five daughters, Cindy Adams and husband, Denny, Julie Davis and husband, Frank, Patty Kuykendall and husband, Karl, Laurie Wivell and husband, Rodney, and Jo Ann Boyd and husband, Bill; 13 grandchildren, April Gastley and husband, Josh, Mark Adams and wife, Liz, Jessica Wachtel and husband, Kyle, Jeffrey Adams and friend, Justina Campana, Katie Brotherton and husband, Josh, Kellie Kuykendall and friend, Corey Milewski, Emily Shoemaker and husband, Jarrett, Adie Groft and husband, Bobby, Kari Wivell, Tricia Wivell, Jennifer Yingling and husband, Doug, and Matthew Boyd and wife, Madi; 15 great grandchildren,  Ella, Mia, & Nora Gastley, Madeleine, Isabelle, & William Adams, Cadence & Brynn Wachtel, Logan & Leah Brotherton, Blake, Tucker & Jack Groft, Cole Shoemaker, and Baker Boyd.  She is survived by many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and her parents, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Brian J. Kuykendall, and her brother John S. Hollinger, Sr.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the MYERS-DURBORAW FUNERAL HOME, P.A, 210 West Main Street, Emmitsburg.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 47 DePaul Street, Emmitsburg, Maryland.  Interment will be in the New St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Emmitsburg, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Betty Ann’s memory to the Vigilant Hose Company, PO Box 171, Emmitsburg, Maryland  21727. Online condolences may be made at www.myersdurborawfh.com