Ruth Baker

1932 - 2021

Ruth Baker
August 6, 1932 - December 20, 2021
Sacramento, California - The fearless matriarch, Ruth Baker, passed away at the age of 89 on the early, foggy, Monday morning of December 20, 2021. Ruth was born on a clear, bright summer day in Berkeley, California, August 6, 1932.
She was an avid reader, crafter, cat lover, community organizer and leader, feminist, activist, advocate, single mom, wife, grandma, great grandma, and a dear friend to many.
Her parents and grandparents were resilient leaders and storytellers. Ruth became very involved in her community and championed social improvement from an early age. She became the editor of her middle school paper, and met her late ex-husband Don in the Berkeley Assemblies social club, which held dances each month, when they were 14 and 15. She went on to Berkeley High School where she had the opportunity to interview her idols Bob Hope and Doris Day for her school paper. Ruth then became a Y Teen Director at the YWCA while studying at UC Berkeley, and later became the proud president of the Delta Zeta Sorority. She graduated and proved that no amount of paperwork or red tape would stop her. During years in the Air Force they traveled the US, having children here and raising children there until the family of seven settled in the River Park neighborhood of Sacramento.
Ruth returned to school to complete her Masters in Social Work as one of very few women in her program at the time. She was determined to financially support herself and her kids as she and her husband separated.
Ruth was a fierce advocate for the welfare rights of prisoners, women, people of color and children at the local, state and federal level. She was the Executive Secretary and Legislative Advocate for the Prison Lawyers Association, Director of Planning for the Sacramento Area Economic Opportunity Council, the first female Director of the Sacramento County Consumer Protection Bureau, and a Social Action Committee Chair person of her church, the First Unitarian Society. She served on the Sac County Affirmative Action Committee, and was on the Board of Directors of the Sac County Employees Credit Union. She was later Administrator of County Utility and Building Services in the Public Works Department. Ruth finished her career as a Child Protective Services Emergency Response social worker She volunteered for many campaigns and local organizations, including Shirley Chisolm's presidential campaign and for the Sacramento Black Panther Chapter and the Vacaville Black Cultural Association. Her creed was to work in solidarity with those directly impacted by society's ills with the hope of making their lives brighter. She was, literally, a card carrying member of the NAACP.
After retiring, she was active in the social worker social club, the Gentle Ladies. Ruth was a constant supporter and viewer of PBS. She continued to knit, quilt, crochet and craft for her family and those in need with Project Linus and the Knitpickers. Ruth loved celebrating her birthdays along the (sometimes)sunny California coast and the annual Baker Family Christmas. Now peacefully resting, Ruth leaves behind her five children, Mike Baker (Carolyn), Dr. Molly Baker (Ed Hubbard), Barbara Fenton (Bill), Betty Harnden (Randy) and Katie Villegas (Oscar), 10 grandchildren,13 great grandchildren and her sister in law Nancy (Rande) Baker. The entire family would like to thank her friends Ginny, Karen, Rick, Carol, Lupe and Chris for their love and care. She loved and was loved dearly. Services are pending.
In lieu of flowers and remembrances, please donate to the Ruth Baker Memorial Fund at the Yolo County Children's Alliance (https://www.yolokids.org)