Judy R. Baker

Judy Baker peacefully passed this week concluding her 5 year journey with colon cancer. Beloved by all who knew her, she was an inspiration and guiding light to her family, friends, and community. Born in May of 1982, her appearance in a sunny season of new life echoed the person she was to become. She grew up as the much loved youngest of three girls; her color was pink, a joyous contrast to her sisters' darker personalities.
An ace in school and a skilled musician, she graduated from Baldwin High School, class of 2000 and Allegheny College, class of 2004, with a BA in Environmental Studies. She was a fierce contender on the tennis court and played first singles both her junior and senior years in Allegheny's competitive Division III program. She furthered her studies with an MA in Environmental Science Management from Duquesne University.
Always available to help, she was a ready volunteer, most notably for Won by One to Jamaica and spent several summers on mission trips there supporting the Harmons community. Always available to sing or lead a group in song her music ministry pulled people together her entire lifetime.
Around this time, she met the love of her life, Jeff Baker. After some dedicated courtship, Judy finally recognized what the rest of us had already figured out – that Jeff was an amazing person and would be an unparalleled partner for her life journey. They wed in August of 2006 and set to work making the world a better place. Ultimately together they renovated two houses, turning their houses in the woods into warm homes full of life.
Over the years Judy worked for NGE Consulting, who gave her the opportunity to work and contribute when she could, up to and including last fall as she navigated her treatments.
In 2014 Sasha was born, followed by Elias in late 2015. Voted by a cousin to be the "Best Mom Ever", we do wholeheartedly agree. Judy creatively and thoughtfully homeschooled her kids for several years and then enrolled them in the Watermark Classical Academy in Sewickley. The Watermark community has provided the Bakers with incredible support and care – we simply cannot thank them enough.
God provided Judy with life changing inspiration through many church communities. First at the family's Mifflin Ave United Methodist Church in Wilkinsburg, then Allegheny Center Alliance Church, where she met Jeff, Genesis Church in Hopewell, and finally at the New Community Church of Wexford. Her strength of belief burst through her widely read blog A Heart Full of Praise and Christmas letters. Her inspirational message and positivity continued right through her cancer journey. She continued to volunteer when others might have sat one out after a chemo treatment. Her faith in God's plan and her certainty of a cure kept her living strong and fully engaged with her world.
The last five months have been incredibly difficult. Jeff has been on the clock caring for her 24/7 from the beginning. He has received extensive help from Judy's mother Diana and sister Brenda who have spent every day as an integral part of Judy's care team. Sasha and Elias have learned to be so responsible and to help where they can. Jeff's employer Raytheon has been very supportive and willing to work with his challenges at home.
Judy will be mourned by thousands, but in particular Jeff Baker, her husband of 19 years; her children Sasha and Elias Baker; Her parents David and Diana Spencer; Her sisters Brenda (Jared) Lordon and Rebecca (Travis) Spencer Mitchell; Jeff's parents Jeff and Judy Baker Sr; Jeff's sister Veronica Baker (Doug Kurtz); nieces and nephews (Lachlan, Leo, Lucy, Kevin, Fletcher, Preston, Cameron, and Hudson). Additional thanks to all who have supported the Baker family from near and far and are far too numerous to list here.
A Viewing will be held at Schellhaas & Sons Funeral Home 1600 Stone Mansion Dr, Franklin Park, PA 15143 from 2-8pm on Sunday April 27. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at the New Community Church of Wexford at 3100 Wexford Rd, Wexford PA 15090 at 11am on Monday with internment at Allegheny County Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, support for the family may be provided via this link Baker Family- Go Fund Me as they continue to work through their remaining medical expenses and next steps.