Caroline Nichols Baker

PORTAGE, MICH. - Caroline Nichols Baker, 80, died peacefully Friday afternoon, July 7, 2006, at an assisted living center in Portage, Mich. Caroline was born on January 11, 1926, in Westport, Conn., to the late John A. and Adelaide (nee: Nichols) Baker. Caroline received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Bryn Mawr College in 1948. She lived in Racine for 25 years and was very active in the community. She taught English, Social Studies, and Creative Dramatics at Prairie School and the Racine Unified School District. Drama was an important part of her life. She was active in the Racine Theatre Guild and Racine Children's Theatre. She was an activist for women's rights, peace, disarmament, and racial equality. She was a world traveler and worked with the Racine United Nations Association. She will be remembered for her dedication to the welfare of children though her annual Christmas work for UNICEF and her commitment to encouraging children to explore other cultures and their own creative capacities through drama. As the descendant of a long line of Unitarian Ministers, she was passionate about her Unitarian faith. She was an active and dedicated member of the Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church. She is survived by three children, Gilman (Stefania Sani) Halsted of Madison, Karen Halsted (Pat Cronin) of Kalamazoo, Mich., and Elizabeth Halsted (David Barnes) of Brooklyn, N.Y.; four grandchildren, Ien Halsted, Keaghan Cronin, Baker Cronin, and Tatum Barnes; and brother, Patrick (Betty Ann) Baker. She was also preceded in death by her brother, John Baker. Memorial services will be held at a later date to be determined. Memorials may be directed to UNICEF; or the Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church, 625 College Avenue, Racine, Wis. 53403. LANGELAND FAMILY FUNERAL HOMES 622 South Burdick Street Kalamazoo, Mich. 269-343-1508 www.langelands.com