COLUMBUS, INDIANA
Hilary Baker, 89, passed away on December 23, 2022.
Hilary Irene Elizabeth Lynch-Baker was born in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Roscommon, Ireland on 6 September 1933. She was the daughter of George and Frances O’Neill-Lynch of Killen and the only daughter of six children. She moved to England in the early 1960s as a young adult and enjoyed living and working in London. In 1969, she married Major David Baker of the Royal Corp of Engineers and became a military wife, raising two children Avril (Todd) Schutte and Karl (Barbara) Baker, while stationed in multiple countries.
Hilary was a lifelong Catholic and dedicated her time to social justice and uplifting the disadvantaged. She and David started chapters of St. Vincent de Paul Society at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Huntsville, Alabama and at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Columbus, Indiana. Supporting people with food, money and compassion came naturally to her and she even worked on holidays to ensure that others had something to give. She loved to establish lasting relationships with those she served, challenging them with opportunities, support, and strength and to ‘lift themselves up.’
Dedication, fortitude, and love were the qualities she exemplified through faith and family. She was dedicated to her family, God and Ireland, along with her adopted country of the USA. Fortitude to keep a family focused on the importance of faith, laughter and loving each other, no matter the circumstances. Her love, as a mother, as a wife was complete and selfless, a true example of her Christian faith.
She was an avid traveller and cultivated friendships across the world through visits, letters and phone calls. She claimed that sitting on a beach in the Caribbean was heaven and visited Ethiopia, Kenya, Italy, Canada, New Zealand, England, Ireland and France after her husband retired. She loved to write letters, receive cards and send postcards to keep up with her family and friends around the globe. Regular calls, visits for graduations, calls on birthdays and always sending a card with a little something, were how she demonstrated her love..
Hilary is survived by her husband, two children and seven grandchildren. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, December 30, 2022, at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church; Father Chris Wadelton will be the celebrant. A livestream of the Mass is available at saintbartholomew.org. A time of memorial visitation will be from 9 a.m. until Mass time Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul, ? St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, 1306 27th St., Columbus, IN 47201. Condolences and special memories may be shared with the Baker family at barkesweaverglick.com.
