Obituary: Barbara Shepherd Baker, 96, Of Redding

Information and Photo Courtesy Bouton Funeral Home

REDDING, CT — Barbara Shepherd Baker, 96, of Redding, succumbed to an undetected disease – old age - on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023. She never took any medications and was driving and living independently until 2 months ago. She was born June 19, 1926 in Milwaukee, WI, to Frederick and Gertrude Shepherd. She grew up on a quintessential Wisconsin dairy farm with her younger sister Janet. She graduated from University of Wisconsin, Madison (49) with a degree in Home Economics.

Barbara married the love of her life, Louis Baker on Aug. 14, 1954. They began their life together in Amherst, MA (7 yrs.) where all three of her sons were born. Then to Ames Iowa for (7 yrs.) and to Wilton in 1968 where she and Lou lived for 30 years. In 1998, they built their dream house in Redding, where she lived until this year.

Barb and Lou loved the theater, concerts in NYC, visits to Tanglewood and travels around the world over the years. She especially loved gatherings with her family.

Barbara is survived by her sister Janet and her family (Palatine, IL); sons Fred (Susan) of Redding, Mark (Angela) of Hyde Park, VT, and Dan (Ellen) of Appleton, ME. Additionally by six grandchildren Donald (Sara) Baker, Rebecca (Nick) Baker and Kendall (Kara) Baker, all of Redding, Nathaniel Baker of Denver, CO, Alex Baker of Burlington, VT, and Isabel Baker of Boston, MA. And her greatest, recent joy her great-grandchildren Ryan, Jackson and Luna Baker, all of Redding.

She was predeceased by her beloved Pa of 57 years. Per her wishes there will be no services, she will be laid to rest next to her beloved Lou in Hillside Cemetery in Wilton. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.