Louise Doyle Baker

AIKEN – Surrounded by her loving family, Louise Doyle Baker passed away peacefully on July 26, 2012 at Aiken Regional Medical Centers, following a stroke. She was born on August 26, 1923, the second of nine children. While in high school, she excelled at speaking on the debate team and tap-dancing. When World War II broke out, she married her high school sweetheart, Lt. William F. Baker, who had just left the Citadel to train as a pilot for the Army-Air Force. After the war, they both returned to the University of Florida and obtained their Master’s degrees. Lt. Baker embarked on a military career and they traveled the world raising their four children, Susan, Bill, Joanna and Veronica. After returning to the states in 1970, then Lt. Col Baker was killed in an automobile accident. Louise managed to return to the University of Florida and Florida State University to earn her PH.D in Education while raising three children. She taught in numerous universities, including Augusta State University most recently. During her career she was awarded the prestigious NASPA Hardee Dissertation of the Year Award for her thesis on the continuing education of women. Louise continued to peruse her diverse artistic and intellectual interests through her life, painting and tap-dancing well into her eighties. To her family and friends, she was a constant source of joy…with an infectious laugh and a smile that lit up the room. She was equally adept at sitting quietly, holding your hand and listening to your troubles. She was the kindest and most non-judgmental of souls. She always focused her beautiful blue eyes on the the heart within. Stylish and articulate to the end, her motto continued to be “Age is just a number”. She was not without tragedy in her life, having lost her husband at a relatively young age, and having a son predecease her. She also suffered pre-mature losses of two brothers and a beloved sister-in-law. She always relished the time she spent with them, and celebrated their lives. She was a lesson in the resilience of the human spirit. She was a member of the Aiken Artists Guild and St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She is survived by her daughters: Susan Reynolds of Aiken and her husband, William, Joanna Tammen of Atlanta and her husband, Riley, and Veronica Sciacca of Atlanta and her husband, John. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. In addition, she is survived by four of her brothers and two of her sisters. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, July 31 at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Aiken with the Reverend Gregory Wilson offiating, followed by a reception at The Wilcox. A grave side burial ceremony in her hometown of Deland Florida will be held at Oakdale Cemetery late the week of July 30th. The family requests that in lieu of flowers that a donation made in her memory to the St. Mary’s Building Fund. Mrs. Baker’s online guest book may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Louise Doyle Baker, please visit our flower store.