Grace F (Jarvis) Baker, 88
Founded St. Edward the Confessor Parish; loved children

WESTMINSTER - Grace F. (Jarvis) Baker, 88, formerly of 47 State Road West, and of 378 Plantation St., Worcester, died peacefully Oct. 3, 2007 at the University Commons Nursing Care Center, Worcester after an illness.

She was born on April 27, 1919 in Fitchburg, the daughter of the late Henry and Mary Ellen (O'Leary) Jarvis. She lived in Westminster most of her adult life, and was a 1937 graduate of St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School.

Grace was a founder of St. Edward the Confessor Parish with her husband, Preston. She was a long-time member of St. Edward's Women's Guild. Grace and Preston opened their home for many years during the 1960s to care for the infants whose mothers wished to offer their child for adoption through Children's Aid and Family Service Inc. Her great love in life was her own family and in many respects children in general.

She was the wife of the late Preston A. Baker who died in 1976.

She leaves seven children, Warren J. Baker and his wife Carly of San Luis Obispo, Calif., the Rev. Donald H. Baker, Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Gardner, Judith Baker Landolfiand her husband Michael of Quincy, Preston D. Baker of Westminster, Dennis J. Baker and his wife Paula of Shrewsbury, Gail Baker DesBois and her husband Bernard of Pepperell, and Kevin P. Baker and his wife Donna of Leominster; 17 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by all of her five brothers and two sisters.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Care-Net-Pregnancy Resource Center, P.O. Box 511, 326 Nichols Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420 or to the University Commons Nursing Care Center, Patient Activity Fund, 378 Plantation St., Worcester, MA 01605.

The Westminster Chapel of the Sawyer-Miller-Masciarelli Funeral Homes directed arrangements.