Sylvia Gingras-Baker

Sylvia Gingras-Baker of Bloomfield, beloved wife of the late Abner S. Baker, passed away in the early morning of Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2024. She was 90 years old.
Sylvia was born in Gouverneur, NY, daughter of the late George and Isabel (Graves) Gingras. Her family moved to Malone, NY, where her father practiced veterinary medicine for both farm and household animals, and her mother stayed home to raise Sylvia and her three younger siblings. Small town life near the border with Canada gave her exposure to people from different walks of life, from the rural farms of the north country to the city life of Montreal.
Sylvia graduated from Cornell University, College of Human Ecology with a degree in Human Development and Family Relations in 1956. While raising her three children, Sylvia served as president of The Greater Hartford Association for Retarded Children and later worked with Urban Ethics, Inc., with a diverse group of trainers who helped institutions deal with racism. Sylvia completed her MA at the University of Connecticut in Human Development and Family Relations in 1976. After training at Bristol Hospital, she became a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). She put her skills to work for 11 years in a job she loved at Klingberg Family Centers, which was a residential treatment program serving emotionally disturbed boys and girls 8-15 years of age. She provided therapy to families and clinical consultations, coordinated multi-disciplinary treatment teams, designed programs for parents and staff, and supervised interns, among other things.
In the meantime, Sylvia participated in and graduated from the Hartford Family Institute (HFI) Body Oriented Gestalt Therapy Training Program, which was transformational for her. She became a Partner and psychotherapist at HFI in 1987 and found her home in private practice there. She had special interests in bringing meditation into the healing process, working with parents of adult children of alcoholics, and working with couples and blended families. She was also a trainer in the HFI Human Relations Training Program for seven years. She loved her work as a therapist, and after 36 years of practice at HFI, she retired last year at the age of 89.
Sylvia was a life-long learner, interested in human rights for all human beings, and the growth and development of individual human beings. She was vocal in the fight for women's rights and worked in the fight against racism. She was genuinely interested in understanding other people's points of view and perspectives, even if they were very different from her own. Her exploration of meditation and mindfulness began with her late husband over 25 years ago when they went to a retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh. The teachings helped her to develop a deep sense of the importance of being present in each moment; an awareness of impermanence, which is pervasive in life; and the importance of practicing compassion, which can transform suffering and help in finding healing and peace. A growing understanding of Buddhist teachings informed both her personal and professional life and was supported by her decades-long participation in the Greater Hartford Sangha.
Most meaningful to Sylvia throughout her life were the connections she had with other people. This began in kindergarten and spanned across her lifetime. She worked to overcome her rough edges, which all human beings have, and was willing to take responsibility for whatever part she might have had in differences or disagreements so things could be worked out. She taught us that growth and healing are possible if you work at it. She treated people with respect and kindness. Her friends talk about her calm soul, her keen wit, how their relationships with her were precious, and how her mere presence felt solid and supportive. As she aged, she embraced her role as an elder. She would listen carefully and then, often with few words, share her wisdom, which would help in resolving problems and bringing people together. Her presence, understanding and compassion were a gift to all who knew her.
Sylvia is survived by her three children, Elizabeth Richmond, Sarah Nicholls, and Malcolm Nicholls, III (Heather). She was the sister of Annette Hobbs (Will), the late Joel Gingras Sr. (Mary), and Mary Ryan (Bob). She is also survived by her five grandchildren, Mary Michael (Doug), Stephen Richmond (Juliana), Michelle Nicholls, and Connor and Hannah Nicholls, along with three great-grandchildren, April and Stephen (III) Richmond, and Ian Michael. She was pre-deceased by her fourth great-grandchild, Isabel Michael. She also leaves her stepchildren, Lisa Yeeles (Chris); Malcolm Baker (Gwen), and their son, Karl; and Timothy Baker (the late Wendy Babcox), and his daughter, Madeline.
Her family will receive friends on Saturday, December 14, 1-3 p.m., at Carmon Funeral Home, 807 Bloomfield Avenue, Windsor.
A celebration of her life will take place in early spring on a date to be decided.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to one of Sylvia's favorite charities in her honor (UNICEF, ACLU, Charter Oak Cultural Center, Compassion & Choices, Connecticut Foodshare, Planned Parenthood, Special Olympics).