Obituary for Gaynell Ruth Baker
Gaynell Ruth (nee Larsen) Baker, 82, of Kirtland, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Concord Township.
Born April 21, 1940, in Cleveland, she had been a resident of Kirtland for 54 years.
Gaynell graduated from Kent State University, Columbia University and received Montessori training through St. Nicholas. She trained and helped to create the first Montessori School within the Cleveland Public Schools. As an educator, Gaynell had worked as a Kindergarten teacher in the Kirtland Schools from 1978-2000, and in the Cleveland Public Schools from 1961-1971, where she was also supervisor of Head Start Program. She was a college instructor for John Carroll University, Cleveland State University, Lake Erie College and Kent State University, and served as the Assistant Principal at Kirtland Middle School. In her spare time, she enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and extended family, Reading, cooking, traveling, entertaining, arranging flowers, Tai Chi, swimming, early education, sports and participating in her book club.
She was the beloved wife of 54 years to Harland Roger Baker; loving mother of Eric Harland Baker, Kirsten Lynn (Greg) Sayle and Beth Gaynell (Dan) Duffy; cherished grandmother of Maddie, Lilly, Jessie, Katie, Jenna, Johnny, Will, Kelsey, Kylie, Allie and Lucian; sister of Edward Larsen; dear aunt of Kim, Eddy, Jeff, Rick, Jonathan, Jen, Ryan and Robin; and great-aunt of many.
Gaynell was preceded in death by her parents, Edward Julius and Ruth Gaynell (nee Scott) Larsen; and sister-in-law, Jean Larsen.
Family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 9, 2023, at The Abbey of Willoughby, 38011 Euclid Ave. (located on the grounds of McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home), in Willoughby, where a funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, March 10.
Contributions may be made in her name to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110.
To leave condolences for the family or order flowers, visit www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.
Born April 21, 1940, in Cleveland, she had been a resident of Kirtland for 54 years.
Gaynell graduated from Kent State University, Columbia University and received Montessori training through St. Nicholas. She trained and helped to create the first Montessori School within the Cleveland Public Schools. As an educator, Gaynell had worked as a Kindergarten teacher in the Kirtland Schools from 1978-2000, and in the Cleveland Public Schools from 1961-1971, where she was also supervisor of Head Start Program. She was a college instructor for John Carroll University, Cleveland State University, Lake Erie College and Kent State University, and served as the Assistant Principal at Kirtland Middle School. In her spare time, she enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and extended family, Reading, cooking, traveling, entertaining, arranging flowers, Tai Chi, swimming, early education, sports and participating in her book club.
She was the beloved wife of 54 years to Harland Roger Baker; loving mother of Eric Harland Baker, Kirsten Lynn (Greg) Sayle and Beth Gaynell (Dan) Duffy; cherished grandmother of Maddie, Lilly, Jessie, Katie, Jenna, Johnny, Will, Kelsey, Kylie, Allie and Lucian; sister of Edward Larsen; dear aunt of Kim, Eddy, Jeff, Rick, Jonathan, Jen, Ryan and Robin; and great-aunt of many.
Gaynell was preceded in death by her parents, Edward Julius and Ruth Gaynell (nee Scott) Larsen; and sister-in-law, Jean Larsen.
Family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 9, 2023, at The Abbey of Willoughby, 38011 Euclid Ave. (located on the grounds of McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home), in Willoughby, where a funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, March 10.
Contributions may be made in her name to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110.
To leave condolences for the family or order flowers, visit www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.