Sylvia Baird

Sylvia Marie Baird of Canton, GA, passed away on August 26, 2023, at AccentCare Inpatient Hospice Center in Cumming, GA, after a brief illness. Sylvia was born on May 6, 1935, in Libertyville, IL, to Dorothy Brixen Beelow and Wilhelm Beelow. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Boake L. Baird, M.D.; and sisters, Charlotte Long and Janet Altemeyer. Sylvia graduated from Antioch High School in Antioch, IL, and attended Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. She and Boake were united in marriage in 1957 at Antioch Methodist Church and then moved to Denver, CO. After 4 years in Denver, they spent 3 years in Albuquerque and Gallup, NM, before moving to Loveland, CO, in 1964. During their marriage, they were blessed with two sons and one daughter. While attending college, Sylvia worked in the school cafeteria and later at Wurlitzer Co. in DeKalb. In Denver, while helping put Boake through medical school, she was employed in the Department of Preventive Medicine, Statistics and Public Health. Later, in Loveland, she was a stay at home mother until their children were older, and then worked in her husband's office in Loveland and her son's video store in Ft. Collins. Utmost in her life was love of her family, but she also loved volunteering for Heart Watchers for 19 years, the front desk at McKee Hospital for 16 years and the P.A.R.T.Y. program. Sylvia enjoyed dancing, tennis, bridge, swimming, waterskiing and luncheons with friends. She loved to travel, having fond memories of many wonderful visits to the mountains, Mexico, Europe, and trips to see her children and grandchildren. She cherished her family's many years living on Lake Loveland. Sylvia is survived by her sons, Boake Baird of St. Petersburg, FL, and Kevin Baird and his wife, Jane of Fletcher, NC, and her daughter, Holly Rivera and her husband, Ken of Milton, GA; four grandchildren, Shea Baird, Brittney Dufresne and her husband, Paul, Miles Rivera and Cooper Rivera; three great-grandchildren, Josiah Hill, Jeremiah Hill and Dorothy Dufresne; brothers-in-law, Dean Long of Wray, CO, and David Hunsaker and his wife, Lillian of Tubac, AZ; sister-in-law, Beverly Butler of Green Valley, AZ; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. At Sylvia's request, no service will be held. However, feel free to share your memories of Sylvia in the Guestbook at Legacy.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring her memory by making a donation to a charity of your choice.