Kathleen Ann “Kathy” Baker
May 31st, 1945 - December 22nd, 2024
Share Book of Memories with a Friend
Please enter the name and email details so that we can send your friend a link to the online tribute. No names or addresses will be collected by using this service.
Kathy's Obituary
Kathleen Ann Baker, 79, of Dowagiac, peacefully passed away Sunday, December 22, 2024, at Corewell Health Niles Hospital, Niles, MI, surrounded by her family.
Kathy was born on May 31, 1945, the daughter of the late Sylvester and Betty (Janes) Farrell. She married Bradley on March 7, 1981, and just celebrated 43 wonderful years together. Kathy earned a master’s degree from Indiana University. She was employed by Brandywine Public Schools for 36 years, including instructing driver’s education, until her retirement. Kathy never fully retired as she continued her teaching at Brandywine Schools as a substitute teacher for the next 16 years. She was proud of the many tattoos she acquired over the years. Her family and friends fondly referred to her as, “Nanny”. Kathy was an animal lover, with she and her husband raising several Golden Retrievers, Klumber Spaniels, and cats, over the years.
Kathleen will be missed by her husband, Bradley “Brad” Baker, a daughter-Carrie (Nathan) Swailes; 2 granddaughters-Amelia Swailes and Natelie (Derek Reynolds) Swailes; 2 great-granddaughters-Delanie and Emrie; and 2 brothers-Patrick (Becky) Farrell and Kevin Farrell. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Shelley Werner.
Honoring Kathy’s wishes, cremation has taken place and the family will celebrate her life privately. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Clark Chapel – Starks Family Funeral Homes, 405 Center St., Dowagiac. Please visit Kathy’s personalized webpage to share a memory or leave a condolence to her family at www.clarkch.com.
Kathy was born on May 31, 1945, the daughter of the late Sylvester and Betty (Janes) Farrell. She married Bradley on March 7, 1981, and just celebrated 43 wonderful years together. Kathy earned a master’s degree from Indiana University. She was employed by Brandywine Public Schools for 36 years, including instructing driver’s education, until her retirement. Kathy never fully retired as she continued her teaching at Brandywine Schools as a substitute teacher for the next 16 years. She was proud of the many tattoos she acquired over the years. Her family and friends fondly referred to her as, “Nanny”. Kathy was an animal lover, with she and her husband raising several Golden Retrievers, Klumber Spaniels, and cats, over the years.
Kathleen will be missed by her husband, Bradley “Brad” Baker, a daughter-Carrie (Nathan) Swailes; 2 granddaughters-Amelia Swailes and Natelie (Derek Reynolds) Swailes; 2 great-granddaughters-Delanie and Emrie; and 2 brothers-Patrick (Becky) Farrell and Kevin Farrell. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Shelley Werner.
Honoring Kathy’s wishes, cremation has taken place and the family will celebrate her life privately. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Clark Chapel – Starks Family Funeral Homes, 405 Center St., Dowagiac. Please visit Kathy’s personalized webpage to share a memory or leave a condolence to her family at www.clarkch.com.
Service Details
View the current service details below. Sign up for email or text updates to receive notifications of any changes to service schedules or important information.