Karen E.C. Baker

1975 - 2021

Karen E.C. Baker
November 13, 1975 - December 4, 2021
Sacramento, California - It is with great sadness that the family of Karen (Chelini) Baker memorializes her sudden and tragic passing in a private plane crash on December 4, 2021 that also took the lives of her father David Chelini, her sister Donna Chelini, and her cousin Stephen Chelini.
Karen was born on November 13, 1975 in Sacramento, CA. She was the fourth of five children of David and Nancy Chelini, and she loved growing up surrounded by a big family and large group of friends. At a young age she joined recreational softball, volleyball, and basketball leagues, often coached by her father. She continued her love of sports into adulthood, both as a fan of the Sacramento Kings and as a frequent participant in Tough Mudder races with her sister, Donna.
While attending Christian Brothers High School she met the love of her life and best friend, Brandon Baker, both members of the class of 1994. Karen and Brandon married in 1997 and started a family in 2004. In the early years of their marriage they loved an adventure--taking vacations, playing bunco, and hosting dance parties. Most recently, they won a trip for two to Bali, a bucket list vacation. Annually, they would spend a week at Lake Tahoe with their large extended family, camping, boating, and playing board games. Last summer, Karen and the extended family embarked on a camping trip to the Grand Canyon in the family trailer. Karen also enjoyed going for short flights with her father in his plane.
While juggling work and motherhood, she went back to school to complete her degree in Business Administration, graduating from the University of Phoenix in 2007. Karen worked for the Judicial Council of California for 15 years, starting out as a facilities auditor and working her way up to program management.
Karen was a woman of many passions including gardening, painting, reading, writing and family. She was not one to sit still, although she loved to watch a movie or TV show with her family. She loved to cook and bake all of the family favorites, often with a favorite glass of wine! Most recently, she adopted a bevy of quails and delighted in cooking and sharing the eggs with friends and family. Her friends universally describe her as kind, thoughtful and fiercely loyal. As a devoted wife, mother and community volunteer, she lived up to her childhood nickname of "Care Bear".
Karen was an alumnus of St. Charles Borromeo school where both of her children have also attended. She was an active parent volunteer and leader in fundraising efforts. Among many roles, she served as the longtime chairwoman of the school's Fall Festival, coached basketball, served on the school advisory committee (CSAC) and many other projects and committees. She was always willing to help keep score, collect admissions, or run the snack bar in the gym, even on short notice. She was definitely full of "Cougar Pride"!
As a volunteer of the Haiti Early Learning Project, Karen was proud to serve as a founding board member as well as help organize their annual gala for the last several years to raise funds for the education of Haitian children in their home country.
Karen will be lovingly remembered by her husband Brandon, their children Natalie and Benjamin, mother Nancy Chelini, sisters Annette (Rick) Norton and Denise Chelini (Andrew Surber), brother Kevin (Lori) Chelini, mother-in-law Bernadette Baker, brother-in-law Justin Baker (Stephanie), and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Karen is preceded in death by her grandparents Leo and Eleanor Chelini and Rudolph and Lois Paletta.
A triple memorial and inurnment for Karen, David, and Donna was held on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at St. Mary's Funeral Center in Sacramento, CA. Donations in Karen's memory can be made to the Haiti Early Learning Project:
haitiearlylearningproject.com/donate