Reitha I. Baker

Reitha I. (Michel) Baker, 96, of Hudson, formerly of Southborough, passed away Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, at the River Terrace Healthcare Facility in Lancaster, with her loving family at her bedside. She was the wife of Fred L. Baker, a retired accountant for the town of Southborough, who left her too soon in 1977. She is survived by a sister, Dorothy Smith of Alexandria, Va.; her stepson, William J. Baker and his wife, Margaret, of Pittsfield, N.H.; and a stepdaughter, Maryann Lamy and her husband, Arthur, of Southborough; two nieces, Ann Cavanaugh and her husband, Charles, of Hudson, and Betty Lou Naumes and her husband, George, of Marlborough; four nephews, Paul Morin and his wife, Denise, of Marlborough, Charles Morelli and his wife, Sue, of Marlborough, David Smith and his wife, Debbie of Virginia, and Douglas Smith and his wife, Gail, of Virginia; and many grandnieces and grandnephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Euclid Michael, formerly of Hudson, two sisters, Mildred Morin and Janet Morelli, both formerly of Marlborough, and stepson, Fred L. Baker Jr. She was born in Marlborough, daughter of the late Henry and Josephine (Nichol) Michel and was educated in the Marlborough School System. After high school, she pursued various secretarial courses of instruction. She was employed in many occupations during her long life, including Blue Ribbon Cleaners in Exeter, N.H.; Dennison Manufacturing of Marlborough; Thomas Taylor Co., as an inspector; Diamond Shoe Corp., as a clerk; Marlborough Hospital, in admitting; Arthur G. Richer, M.D., as a receptionist; Marlborough Hospital, at the switchboard; W.G. Roche, M.D., as a receptionist, and F&R Dental Associates, as a receptionist. Former member of St. Anne Church in Southborough, later in life she was a member of Christ the King Parish in Hudson. The immediate families wish to thank everyone at the River Terrace Healthcare Facility for caring for Reitha these final five years of her life. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 10 a.m., at St. Anne Church, 20 Boston Road, Southborough. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery, Southborough. Calling hours are prior to the Mass on Tuesday, from 8 to 9:30 a.m., at the John P. Rowe Funeral Home Inc., 57 Main St., Marlborough. Memorial donations may be made to The Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472.