Belle Baker

Belle (Moore) Baker, 82, of Thornton, passed away on August 28, 2012, at the Mountain Ridge Center, of Franklin, after a period of declining health. Born on December 8, 1929 she was the daughter of Frank A. and Olive M. (Benjamin) Moore. She was an avid reader all her life. When she was a child, she read every book in the children's section of the local library and then every adult book that interested her. She was a Girl Scout and child prodigy pianist. She and her tap dancing class were filmed for a movie while performing at the Brockton Fair. She graduated from Howard High School of West Bridgewater, Massachusetts in 1947.

Belle was married to Charles E. Baker, her high school sweetheart, at Cochesset Methodist Church in West Bridgewater, MA. Belle worked for Baker Construction Inc. for 25 years. Charlie said, "If you draw it, I'll build it." All their homes were different in style. Belle went to the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, graduating magna cum laude in two years. Her degrees were in English, music, and piano. All during her life she contributed to the community by being a pianist, Cub Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout "Cookie Mother", member of West Bridgewater Mothers' Club, being named Mother of the Year in 1975. She supported free Masonry as the wife of Past Master and Past Commander. She had been a Rainbow Girl. Belle was a member of Dighton-Rehoboth Retired Teachers; Littleton Retired Teachers Association, and Lakes Region Retired Educators, where she invited Reeve Lindberg for a speaking seminar. Belle always enjoyed singing in the many churches wherever she lived: First Baptist Church of Brockton, Cochesset Methodist Church, West Bridgewater Baptist Church, Berkley Congregational Church, United Church of Assonet, all in MA, as well as both Campton Baptist and Ashland Baptist, of NH. Belle sang beside actress, Betty Hutton at a Yuletide concert by the "Saints and Singers". She was a member of the "Battleship Cove Singers", performing in Fall River, MA. She taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible school, elementary school in Berkley, Dighton, Rehoboth, and Assonet, and special needs children at Crystal Springs school. She was a member of the Aunt's Club for the Home for Little Wanderers, of Boston, playing piano for special programs. Belle served in leadership positions in many organizations. Belle was active in many community events, such as, the Annual Policeman's Ball at the Canoe Club. She bowled on a league with Charlie. She knit, sewed, embroidered, did needlepoint, oil painting, crafts, and ceramics. She learned cake decorating and made professional quality cakes, including three-tier wedding cakes. She canned and froze garden produce, such as corn on the cob, cantaloupe, and Harvard beets. She loved the ocean and feeding the songbirds. She and Charlie were very excited to meet Niles Nilson, caretaker of the "Old Man of the Mountain". She traveled to Hawaii and played the piano at Queen Liliuokalani's Church. She toured Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and Germany with her friend, Patricia Park. She went to Alaska and Canada with her family. She never let anything stop her from doing what she wanted to do.

Belle is predeceased by her beloved husband, Charles E. Baker.

She is survived by her loving children, daughter, Rebecca McCuin and husband Philip, son, Wayne Baker and wife Zanida, daughter, Susan Kominz and husband Bruce, son, Matthew Baker and wife Terese; brother, Frank A. Moore; cousin, Walda Brown Cameron (who was her flower girl); seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made in Belle's memory to the Ashland Freewill Baptist Church, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc., Samaritan's Purse, or to a charity of one's choice.