Irene M. Baker

1937 - 2025

Irene Marion (Barton) Baker, 88, of Greenfield Road went to be with the Lord Wednesday, March 12th. She was born in Greenfield March 11, 1937, the daughter of Douglas and Marguerite (Canedy) Barton.

Irene attended the one room Center School in Leyden and graduated from Greenfield High School in June 1954 at age 17.

Irene married Donald Clayton Baker, son of Clayton H. Baker and Mary (McDonald) Baker on September 5,1954. Early in their marriage Don and Irene lived in Burlington, VT, Shrewsbury and Colrain before returning to Leyden in 1961, they built their home and settled there in 1967. Donald and Irene celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2004, he predeceased her in July 2005.

She began her career in 1968 as an Information Operator for New England Telephone Company in Greenfield, retiring in 1992 at age 55. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers.

She could always be seen "walking around the block" in Leyden, swimming laps in her pool, or out proudly mowing her lawn. She was passionate about the Lord and volunteered to preach and hold Bible study at various nursing homes. She loved to dance and fondly remembers dances held at the Town Hall in Leyden where she met her future husband. Irene loved to make homemade doughnuts for the hunters who gathered at her home every deer hunting season.

Family was Irene's pride and joy and she was happiest when family and friends gathered, especially at her home by the pool, or in front of the tv, watching any New England sporting event. She'd always be on the sidelines or in the audience to watch her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren excel in sports, dance, theater or singing.

Irene leaves her loving and dedicated children; Brenda Field (Stephan) of Northfield, James Baker (Vicki) of Leyden, Doris Cromack of Greenfield and Jeffrey Baker (Cheryl) of Leyden. Known as "Gram", Irene also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren; Bridget Hammond (Ken) of Northfield, Nicholas Raymond (Brooke) of Duxbury, Bradley Baker (Chelsea) of Leyden, Colby Baker (Suzanne) of Malden, Jillian Baker of Leyden, Ashley Farrier (Heliut) of Sarasota, FL, Kyle Baker of Leyden and Brooke Baker of Cambridge. She was adored by her 12 great grandchildren; Olivia, William, Layla, Jonathan, Emerson, Saylor, Charles, Jackson, Grayson, Tanner, Emilia and Jacoby. Irene will also be missed by her siblings; Wendell Barton, Elwin Barton and Craig Barton, and in-laws Shirley Barton, William and Patricia Baker, Douglas and Patricia Baker and Elizabeth Beaman, plus many nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her parents and her husband Irene was predeceased by her son in-law Ronald Cromack in 2025, twin great-grandchildren in 2008 and her siblings and in-laws; Norman and Lois Barton, Gordon Barton, June and Edwin Damon, Ronald Barton, Mary Lou Barton, Janice Barton and Gary Beaman.

Services will be Saturday April 12, 2025, at 1PM at the Leyden United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at the Baker Cemetery in Guilford VT. A Reception and Celebration of Life will follow at the Leyden Town Hall. All are Welcome.

Memorial contributions may be made to Leyden United Methodist Church or Pioneer Valley Hospice & Palliative Care.

Arrangements are under the direction of Kostanski Funeral Home.

For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com