Carol Frances Baker

Carol Frances Baker March 12th 1942-May 26th 2025
Carol Frances Baker, 83 of Fountain Valley CA passed away peacefully at home on May 26, 2025 after courageously battling Parkinsons Disease, and finally succumbing to cancer. She was born in Chicago IL on March 12th, 1942, to parents Michael and Adeline Maschek. Carol was the sister of Michael Maschek (Sheila) and Patricia Chartier (Charles). Carol was a devoted wife of 60 years to her husband Herbert Alan (Herb) Baker; mother to Peggy (Peter ) Owenson and Kathy Miller; loving grandmother to grandsons Andrew and Erik (Caitlin ) Owenson, Jeffery, Mathew, and Ryan (Haley ) Miller, and great-granddaughter Rory Owenson. While Carol had many roles, her most cherished were those of Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma.
Carol attended St. Constance Catholic High School in Chicago and went on to obtain her Bachelor of Arts in Education and English from Mundelein University in Chicago, IL. Carol married Herb Baker in 1965 in Chicago, where they lived with their extended family and enjoyed many Polish and German cultural traditions, especially Polish cuisine. They moved to CA in 1969 and bought their home on Mallard Avenue in Fountain Valley in 1970 where they created many wonderful memories.
Carol cherished her friends, neighbors and church family. She was a devoted Catholic and member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. She enjoyed service to her community as a Lay Minister, Marriage Encounter sponsor, CCD Teacher, as a founder of Knights Ladies at Holy Spirit Church, and devoted many hours to holiday boutiques and parish events. Carol prayed the rosary daily and was known for having a particularly special connection to St Jude and St Anthony.
Carol was a teacher and often fondly recalled the students she taught in Chicago, IL and in Fountain Valley public and Orange County Diocese Catholic schools. Many of her students still talk about her "treasure chest" of candy, stickers, and prizes that she used to encourage her students to excel. Carol loved reading and singing nursery rhymes with her children, and grandchildren. She always had an open door and open arms accompanied by some home baked cookies, desserts, or banana nut bread for all to enjoy.
Carol adored and prioritized her children and was deeply involved in just about every activity that they did. She was the team manager of their softball teams, and of course was their biggest cheerleader. She volunteered for school activities, brownies, girl scouts, CCD, PTO, music classes, summer camps and more.
Carol loved Disneyland. She and Herb would stroll around Disneyland for date nights, and she enjoyed nothing as much as taking all her grandchildren to Disneyland. Carol also loved camping with her family and friends and created many wonderful memories along the way. She loved to cook and host barbeques and pool parties at her home. She was known for her famous Christmas cookies and banana nut bread that were loved by all. Carol loved to decorate her house with different themes every month. She cherished the joy and wonderful memories that her festive home brought for all those that visited.
Visitation will be held at Heritage-Dilday Memorial Services located at 17911 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach on June 10th from 5:00-7:00 pm, with a rosary at 6:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on June 11th at 10:30 am, followed by Interment at Good Shephard Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please make your donation to St Judes Cancer research.