Eva Mary Baker

Eva Mary (Rogers/Cardellino) Baker, age 89, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 30, 2018 at the Hospice House of E.U.P. in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Eva was a twin, the youngest of nine children, born to Italian immigrants Mariano and Assunta (Moffa) Cardellino on January 14, 1929 in Sault. Ste Marie, Michigan. She was very proud to be Italian, and also a Soo native, living in the Soo for most of her life. She graduated from Sault High School, Class of 1947, and always looked forward to celebrating at their annual reunions.
Her first job was at Kincheloe Air Force Base as a Telephone Operator, and this is where she would meet an Air Force Sergeant, Roy Baker, who would become her beloved husband for over 50 years, before his passing in 2010.
Her husband, still on active duty, would be stationed at many Air Force Bases including bases in Buloxi, MS and Blytheville, AR. This is where they would welcome three adored daughters. They would eventually return to the Soo and raise their family, as this was always Eva's home.
Eva attended Lake Superior State College and received a secretarial degree, and was honored to be chosen as the class speaker at her graduation. She later used her skills working at the Sault Evening News and at many other jobs. After Kincheloe closed, both Eva and Roy took civil service positions at Port Austin Air Force Station, and there she excelled as the Commander's Secretary for many years. She would later retire from her last job as a Civil Servant, at the Soo Locks, where she would cross the first lock daily for her Time Keeper position.
Eva was a fabulous cook, having a catering business in the Soo, and later becoming the Kitchen Manager of the Christopher Columbus Hall. She loved the C.C. Hall, and was elected and served as Secretary and President of the Ladies Auxiliary for numerous years.
Most of all, she had an amazing, giving heart, and cared for her immediate family, two brothers, was involved in many charities, and hosted large family gatherings regularly. Above all else, she looked forward to spending time with loved ones, especially her three daughters and three grandchildren whom she adored. Her relatives were everything to her, which also included her cherished siblings, nieces, nephews and many cousins. She was a devout Catholic and enjoyed going to church, adoration, and praying the rosary.
She is survived by daughters, Lucynda (Michael) Vigneaux of Sault Ste. Marie, MI and Patricia (Mark) Sanitate of Washington, MI; son-in-law, Alan Matthews of Grand Rapids, MI; grandchildren, Samuel Matthews of Grand Rapids, MI, Anna Matthews of Minneapolis, MN, Jack Sanitate of Washington, MI; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
She is preceded in death by husband, Roy Baker; daughter, Cara (Baker) Matthews; parents, Mariano and Assunta (Moffa) Cardellino; siblings, Ircelia Cannello, Mario Cardellino, Anthony Rogers, Edythe Ciferri, Beatrice Bruce, Mary Vozzi, Alfred Cardellino, and Joseph Rogers.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 noon on Monday, December 10, 2018 at St. Mary's ProCathedral Church, 320 East Portage Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Viewing and visitation will be from 10 a.m. until noon at St. Mary's ProCathedral Church prior to the Mass. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice House of E.U.P. and St. Mary's Catholic School, both in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Clark Bailey Newhouse Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.clarkbaileynewhouse.com.