Martha L. Baier

Martha Louise Baier, 87 of Maple Avenue, Ipswich, wife of the late Clarence W. Baier , Jr., died Wednesday, June 30, 2010 in the Beverly Hospital following her brief illness. Born May 9, 1923 in Wakefield, daughter of the late Willis M. and Elizabeth M. (Gorton) Randall, she was raised in Reading and was a graduate of Reading public schools and the Catherine Gibbs School in Boston where she began her career as an Administrative Assistant. Her employers included the Rhode Island School of Design, the American Pharmaceutical Association, and the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute where she worked until her retirement. Married to Clarence W. Baier, Jr. in 1946, they made their way to Northern Virginia where they settled and raised four imperfect children. Throughout her life, Marthas interest in gardens, gardening and design prevailed. She had a love for fine art, classical music and theater. Marthas strong sense of social justice led to her involvement with prisoner mentoring, womens rights and speaking out against oppression throughout the world. Following her husbands death in 1990, she moved to Mont Vernon, NH and in 2008 to her home in Ipswich. She is survived by a son, Randal E. Baier and his wife Betsy of Manchester, MI, three daughters, Meridith Baier of Brewster, Tevis Baier and her husband Mark Murdock of Santa Fe, NM, and Meryl Baier of Ipswich, and five grandchildren, Nicholas and Addie Baier, both of Manchester, MI, Cameron and Ben Murdock, both of Santa Fe, NM, and Raina Baier of Ipswich. She was predeceased by two brothers. A celebration of Marthas life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in her name may be made to Bright Happy Power (www.brighthappypower.org), The Nature Conservancy (nature.org), or the Greater Boston Food Bank (gbfb.org). To leave a condolence please visit www.whittier-porter.com