Anita Baker

Anita Marie (Aguirre) Baker, 76 years old, passed away at home on July 25, 2025 after a brief illness.

Anita was born in Castroville, CA on June 5, 1949 to Casto & Winifred (Machado) Aguirre, and spent most of her life in Salinas, CA before retiring with her husband to Klamath Falls, OR. Anita worked in the automotive industry for most of her career, becoming the very first female auto parts clerk in Salinas while working at Salinas Lincoln Mercury, then at Salinas Valley Ford. She studied to become a proficient manicurist/nail tech and worked for a short time at La Madeleine Salon, but the call of her auto parts roots pulled her back. Anita spent her free time doting over her dogs and grandson, league bowling, riding her trike with the Thunder Riders of Salinas / the H.O.G. Monterey Chapter / the American Legion Riders of Prunedale, and fine-tuning the many crafts she was so good at; like glass bottle etching, beadwork, and glamorizing mundane accessories; such as jazzing up her walking stick, then wheelchair when she needed extra help getting around.

Anita is preceded in death by her father Casto Aguirre (1926-2023), mother Winifred Aguirre (1926-2016), and infant sister Jennifer Aguirre (1952). She is survived by her husband of 44 years Donald Baker, son Daniel Jeffries (Eric Worden), daughter Elizabeth Baker and honorary daughter Vanessa Guzman, grandson Mason Young, siblings Otilio Calderon II (Ronna), Frances Lopez (George), Dennis Aguirre (Julie), Penny Lozano (Alfred), Steven Aguirre (Linda), Roger Aguirre (Grace), Lisa Aguirre, and James Aguirre (Lorraine), beloved dogs Penelope and Bella, as well as numerous nieces and nephews whom she adored.

A celebration of life will be held at Casa Sorrento, 393 Salinas St, Salinas, CA on September 20, 2025 at 6:30pm; come hungry! We invite anyone who would like to share a memory of Anita with her family.