Ronni Baker

STOW — Ronni Marie Baker, 23, the cherished daughter of Matthew and Cheryl Baker, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015.

Ronni was born in Portland on Jan. 15, 1992, and grew up in Fryeburg, where she attended C. A. Snow School. At age 11, the family moved to Stow, where Ronni, already a member of a 4-H horse club, was able to have one for the first time. Ronni attended Sunday school at the Church of the New Jerusalem throughout her childhood, was a Brownie and a Girl Scout, played the clarinet, and participated in the Fryeburg Rec. Program. She loved school activities such as the Geobees and Odyssey of the Mind. Always a social butterfly, Ronni was Snow School’s first student news anchor for Valley Vision.

Ronni had a deep imagination, keen intellect, terrific sense of humor, and a big heart. She loved nature, animals, science, and trivia. Anyone who ever met her is sure to have heard her say, “Did you know…?” Once she heard an interesting fact, she never forgot it. She loved to debate any issue. Ronni’s love of the outdoors included working in the garden, picking flowers, and hunting with her Dad.

As a child, Ronni dreamed of being a veterinarian, then became interested in the medical field. Ronni was an empathetic person who truly enjoyed being a caregiver. After receiving her certification as a nursing assistant, she worked with the elderly, which she often remarked was very satisfying to her. She had a deep respect for older people, stemming in part from the time she was able to spend at her Great Grampa and Grammy Gould’s house while growing up. Over the last few months she has felt very fortunate to be able to spend more time with her Great Grammy Baker. Ronni also enjoyed working with children, both as a summer science camp assistant and a daycare worker. At some point in her latter high school years, Ronni lost sight of her path and never fully found her way back again.

Ronni never hung up the phone without saying, “I love you,” and wrote many heartfelt notes to those she cared about. She lit up the room when she entered and she had a contagious laugh. Her baby daughter, Claire Elizabeth, was the joy of her life. It was very important to Ronni that she have a healthy, happy baby and she accomplished that goal.

Ronni is survived by her daughter, Claire Elizabeth Smith, and her fiancée, Frederick Smith of Stow; her parents, Matthew and Cheryl Baker of Stow; her sister, Casey, and sister-in-law, Felicia of Lovell; grandfather and grandmother, David and Joanne Lane of Bushnell, Fla.; grandmother, Patricia Bove of Fryeburg; grandfather, Dr. Louis Bove of Portland; great-grandmother Betty Baker of Fryeburg; and many close aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Ronni’s parting gift to us all is her beautiful, baby girl. We are all committed to giving her a life that allows her to grow and blossom into the person she was meant to be. Ronni would have wanted that.

Visiting hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, March 5th, at Wood Funeral Home, 9 Warren Street, Fryeburg.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Claire E. Smith memorial fund at Norway Savings Bank, 557 Main St., Fryeburg, ME 04037.

Online condolences maybe expressed to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.org