Obituary of Delma Baker

Delma Allgood Baker, born on New Year’s Eve, 1923, died on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at the Terrace in State College. She had been a resident of the Terrace for six years.

Born to Ernest and Viva Allgood in Breckenridge, Texas, Mrs. Baker spent her childhood on a cotton farm in Scottsdale, Arizona. A graduate of Arizona Teacher’s College at Tempe, Arizona, she married Wesley Baker in 1947.

She and her husband, an ordained Presbyterian minister, built congregations in Oregon and California, where they raised their family. In 1967 the Bakers moved to New York City and eventually Wayne, Pennsylvania. It was in Wayne that Mrs. Baker began a successful career as a real estate agent. She was also a committed member of the Wayne Presbyterian Church, serving on both the mission and music committees.

Music was her lifelong passion. She performed in college and as a young bride taught music in Oregon schools. When the family moved to New York she sang in the prestigious Riverside Presbyterian Church choir in Manhattan. Her tastes were eclectic. She loved classical music and was a longtime subscriber to the Philadelphia Orchestra. But when she was a resident at Rosemont Presbyterian Village she never missed an in-houseconcert, no matter who the performer or what kind of music was on the program. She was especially proud when her sons Ernie and Tim performed oboe and organ recitals at Rosemont.

She is survived by her children and their spouses, Becky Staut (Ronald), Ernie Baker (Debi), and Tim Baker (Dorothy), nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, two sisters and a brother.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at the Terrace at Brookline for their loving attention to Delma’s needs.

A memorial service in Wayne, PA will be held at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Services, 1034 Benner Pike, State College.

A guestbook can be signed and condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.