Anne Marie Heider Baker, 69, passed away on October 2nd at her home in Williamsburg, Virginia, after a long illness with chronic pancreatitis and metastatic pancreatic cancer. A fifth-generation Washingtonian, she was born to the late Helen Leba Heider and the late William Frederick Heider.
She is survived by her husband of forty-three years, Arthur D. Baker, III, of Williamsburg, Virginia; her daughter Alexandra M. Shrake, her son-in-law Richard W. Shrake, III, and grandson Phineas, all of Ardmore, Pennsylvania; her brother, Frederick M. Heider, of Kensington, Maryland; and her stepmother, Mabel B. Heider of Frederick, of Maryland.
Known as "Mary Ann" to her family and childhood friends, she grew up in Washington, D.C. and Bethesda, Maryland. She attended St. Ann's Catholic School and Immaculata Seminary. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and in 1987 from Catholic University with a Master of Science degree in Library Science. Anne was elected to the honor society Beta Phi Mu. She also attended language schools in Germany, Spain, and Denmark.
During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Anne was a chemist for the Bureau of Mines and the Food and Drug Administration. She left the work force to be a stay-at-home mother, volunteering for the Girl Scouts and supporting her daughter in her activities. For seven years in the 1990s, she was the rare book librarian and archivist at Gunston Hall Plantation in Fairfax County. She also worked for the Association of American Railroads as a records manager.
In 1987, Anne christened the U.S. Navy's ocean surveillance ship USNS Adventurous (T-AGOS 13). Her daughter, Alexandra, was her maid of honor, and her husband was keynote speaker at the ceremony. Anne was a lifetime member of the Society of Sponsors of the United States Navy.
For over forty years, Anne was passionately involved in researching her family genealogy. She belonged to numerous national and local genealogy groups and cemetery societies. Anne created and maintained a large genealogical database of German immigrants who settled in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. She enjoyed traveling, crossword puzzles, reading mysteries and historical studies, and collecting books on calligraphy and the history of the book. She had been an avid gardener since the age of eight and grew more than 300 varieties of plants in her yard in Williamsburg. An experienced baker, she won many ribbons at Maryland and Virginia county and state fairs for her cookies and baked goods.
To honor her memory, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Heritage Humane Society, 430 Waller Mill Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185. [In memo section: In Memory of Anne Heider Baker]
Calling hours at the Nelsen Funeral Home in Williamsburg will be from 2 to 4 pm on Saturday. In accordance with Anne's wishes, the funeral service will be private.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
February 1, 2014
Loretta Donovan
She was Mary Ann to me, and sat next to me in alphabetical order when we were freshmen at the College of Mt. St. Vincent. We were both Chemistry majors. Even though she left CMSV, our classmates always remembered her and thought of her as one of class of '66 alums. I'm sorry to learn of her illness and death. My condolences to all who loved her.
Loretta Jablonski Donovan
Brookfield CT
loretta[dot]donovan[at]gmail[dot]com
October 31, 2013
My condolences to all the family. May the God of all comfort be with you during your time of grief. ( 2 Cor. 3:1-5)
October 28, 2013
I'm so sorry to hear about your lost. May God comfort you all. 2 Cornthians 1:3,4
October 13, 2013
Mike White
Dave
Please accept my belated condolences. I was visiting my son on the West Coast when Anne died and only learned of her passing within the last day or so. She fought the good fight for quite some time. My best to you and your family. I am familiar with some of the issues you'll be dealing with in the weeks ahead. If it would help to talk about them, don't hesitate to contact me.
October 5, 2013
With Sincere sympathy.
Clare and Tom Brooks
October 5, 2013
Mickey Free/Powell
Dear Dave,Alex,Fred and Aunt Bun - I'm so sorry for your loss. I always loved Mary Ann. Good bless you all.
Mickey
October 4, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in family, friends and prayer (Psalm 65:2) during this difficult time.
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results
Funeral services provided by:
Nelsen Funeral Home - Williamsburg3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23188
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more