Barbara Baker

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Barbara Lucille Simons Baker, aged 84, on September 21, 2024, at her home in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Born on June 22, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York, Barbara lived a life full of love, generosity, and compassionate caring for others.

She met and married Joseph Plaza in Brooklyn and moved to Islip Terrace on Long Island. They had four children, Dan Plaza, Laurie Budd, Suzi Griffith, and Willy (Joe) Plaza. They had a home overflowing with people and Great Danes.

Barbara found her life taking an unexpected turn when she, her children and pets all moved to Northern Virginia. She also added two more to her family, Paul Gordon and Kevin Connor. There she found the love of her life, George Baker, and together, they turned a neglected 15-acre plot of land near Shepherdstown, West Virginia, into a bountiful home for many.

Barbara was deeply caring, and any suffering was her suffering. She walked through life heart wide open, befriending everyone she met. If she was in line at the grocery store, she would speak with such kindness that they always remembered her.

She rescued and cared for every animal she found, no matter how serious their injuries were. Every day she made her round of the many bird feeders in her yard, making sure everyone had plenty, including the crows. Their garden was legendary.

Barbara collected people, too, and had countless friends. She fostered children, volunteered and donated to charities, always focusing on the less fortunate. She never stopped driving friends and family to the doctor, or to get groceries, or just dropping in for a chat. Her joy was in making everyone else’s life easier.

But her greatest joy was with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nothing made her happier than making a spread of food and entertaining her family with gentle humor at her and George’s home.

Barbara was a creative person and filled their home with both handmade and indigenous inspirational pieces of art. In mid-life, she and George took up wood-working and stained glass and many of their friends were lucky recipients of their work.

Words cannot adequately express the amazing human that Barbara was and the astronomical number of people that she deeply touched with her gentle humor, kindness, and boxes of donuts.

Barbara was preceded in death by her mother, Lucille Simons, father, William Simons, and is survived by her beloved husband, George Baker, her brother, Bill Simons; her children, Dan, Laurie, Suzi (husband, Randy), Willy, Paul and Kevin (wife, Eka); her grandchildren, Ryan, Sarah, Morgen, Kristin, Devon, Lauren, Juluan, Luke, Jonah, Jade, Katherine and Kevin; and great-grandchildren, Avery, Winter, Laci, Luca and Nora. She is also survived by her niece, Kathleen, and cousins, Maryanne, Peggy, and Gerard.

A Memorial Mass will be held on October 12, 2024, at St. Agnes Catholic Church where she was a long-time parishioner. The church is located at 106 S. Duke Street in Shepherdstown, WV. A visitation reception at 11 a.m. will receive family, friends, and parish community. There will be a noon Mass, followed by a light lunch and remembrances of Barbara’s life, love and legacy. All are welcome to the luncheon.

Barbara’s life was a testament to the power of love, resilience, humor, and the joy of creating family bonds that transcend biology. She will be deeply missed, but her legacy of kindness and generosity will continue to inspire all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Southwest Indian Foundation https://www.southwestindian.com/ or the Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County, WV. https://awsjc.org). Condolences may be expressed at www.eackles-spencerfuneralhome.com.