Alice Joan (McDonald) Baker passed away peacefully on February 5, 2024. She was born in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 14, 1930 to Ray W. and Elva R. McDonald. She was the youngest of this family that lived on W. Pine Street, along with her sister Edna V. DeSantis and brother, William (Bill) McDonald. Alice married Paul R. Baker in 1962 and together they raised his son Dennis Baker.
Alice lived all 93 years of her life in Butler County, Pennsylvania. Growing up in those times were hard, but she had fond memories of childhood. She often told the story of her brother Bill buying ice cream for both of them each time Alice helped him collect money from his paper route.
Alice graduated from Butler High School in 1948. She began her career as a Bookkeeper at Butler Burial Services, under the guidance and teaching of Carl Slear. She always said that job was better than any college education. Through the years she also worked at Castle Rubber, Spang & Co, and then retired after 17 years from Drs. Mascia & Bauer Orthodontics.
Alice and Paul loved spending time together. Their 36 years were filled with travelling adventures to West Virginia, Texas, Arizona, and California. They enjoyed many summer weekends at the lake with friends at East Brady Boat Club. And they both had generous hearts, sharing their home on Pine Street with numerous family members over the years. Some sick or aging, some on military leave.
Like their father, Alice and her sister Edna both volunteered with Meals on Wheels. With other members of Christ Community United Methodist Church, Alice crocheted prayer shawls. She was also part of a line dancing group that visited assisted living communities.
Alice relied on her niece Elizabeth (Beth) Becker to manage her affairs and help make big life decisions. Beth made regular visits from Texas in the 10 years prior to COVID-19 and they enjoyed quality time together as aunt and niece. When Alice decided to move from her condo into Lowrie Place Assisted Living, both Alice and Beth were given loving, faithful support from Jackie Rogers (Alice’s childhood, lifelong friend) and Linda and Michael Carrigan (fellow church members).
In 2019 when Alice broke her hip, she moved into Concordia at Cabot Skilled Nursing Care. Linda Johnson offered her invaluable services to coordinate this transition and generously gave Alice the loving care and attention that her family could not. Alice’s brother Bill and nieces Beth, Cindy, and Sue are forever grateful that Linda Johnson represented all of us who loved Alice, by being at her bedside and holding her hand during her final hours.
Alice will be fondly remembered for her kindness to pets, her love of ice cream, her beautiful needlepoint crafts, and her crochet blankets and holiday gifts.
She was preceded in death by husband Paul Baker, parents Ray and Elva McDonald, her sister Edna DeSantis, and stepson Dennis Baker.
Alice is survived by her brother Bill McDonald (TX), nieces Cindy DeSantis (SC), Elizabeth Becker (TX), Sue A. Irvine (TX), nephew David McDonald (TX); grandchildren Bryan, Gabriel, Shawn and Cassie; as well as numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Family and close friends will be invited to a graveside service at Rosehill Cemetery in Butler, PA at a later date.