Doris Louise Baker

Doris passed away on Tuesday May 19, 2015, at 8pm, at Regency Grand Assisted Living Facility, in West Covina, CA. At her bedside was her daughter Patricia, son James, and oldest granddaughter Christine. She died of complications of Myelodysplastic Syndrome, which is a condition of bone marrow failure in which the body stops producing red cells, white cells, and platelet cells. She was diagnosed with this condition in July 2014. Over the following 10 months, she underwent chemotherapy and multiple rounds of transfusions through the City of Hope and Arcadia Methodist Hospital. She fought this disease valiantly, with courage, optimism, and an ever-present positive attitude.

Doris was born and raised in York, Pennsylvania (the FIRST Capitol of the United States). This was during the time of the Great Depression. She was an only child, born to Jennie Jacobs. Her grandparents, Harry Jacobs & Mary Margaret Mullen, had emigrated from Ireland in the 1880's, during the potato famine. Doris grew up not far from the Amish farms of Lancaster, PA. As a young girl, she loved to sing and dance. She also was a fast runner, once finishing first in the city track meet. She also learned to cook "down home country meals", which she continued after she married and had her children.

During her late teens, while working as a waitress in a diner in the Philadelphia area, she met her future husband, James Roy Baker, who was on leave during WWII. He was a Navy sailor, serving aboard the USS Denver. She waited for him, and, after the war ended, they moved to California, and married in January 1946 in the Methodist Church in downtown Los Angeles. She was just 18. A few years later, James was called back to war, serving in the Korean Conflict 1950-52. During this time, Doris worked a variety of jobs, waiting for the war to end, and for her husband to once again come home.

In 1956 they bought their first home in Temple City, California. It had a sizeable lot, and planning ahead, they had two rental houses built on the rear of this property in 1960. The income from these properties helped sustain Doris and her family through difficult times, and continues to provide to this very day.

Over the years, Doris worked at the Pacific Bell phone company; at the National Automobile Club (AAA's rival); and at the Arcadia Methodist Hospital as graveyard shift Admitting Supervisor from 1968-84. She worked graveyard nights in order to be home during the day to raise her two children, as her husband James became afflicted with illness in 1970 until his death in 1983. Doris never re-married.

Throughout the 1960's-70's, Doris served as PTA President of Rio Hondo Elementary School in Arcadia; President of the Temple City Junior Women's Club; and as a Den Mother for her son's Cub Scout Troop.

Notably, in the 1990's, Doris studied and passed the testing to obtain her California Realtor License. She worked at Herbert Hawkins, and Mueller Realty in San Gabriel, up until mid-2014.

Doris was very active in the Temple City Women's Club, and the Temple City Senior Citizens, holding a variety of positions throughout the past few decades. She loved her co-members, and enjoyed immensely the camaraderie of singing, music, eating, and of course, the games, such as Bingo.
Doris loved shopping and collecting antiques. She was a Hummel plate and figurine "Lifetime Member". She also loved Bingo, and every Christmas Day, before Christmas dinner, she established the tradition of playing bingo with her family, giving out envelopes of $1-$5 cash to the winners, usually her grandkids being the winners!

Doris is preceded in death by her mother Jennie Jacobs (1909-1984); her aunt Ethel Jacobs (1916-1984); and her husband James Roy Baker (1919-1983, WWII and Korean War Navy-USS Denver, First-Class Fire Controllman).

She is survived by daughter Patricia Zoerlein (Steve); son James Baker (Lisa); and 7 Grandchildren! –Christine (28), Julianne (26), Katherine (22), Miranda (19), Rachel (17), Cameryn (15), and Carson (7). She was so proud of all their accomplishments, and beamed with joy as she would tell nearly everyone she came in contact with! The love and pride she had for her children and grandchildren could move mountains. Doris was special, and will be missed.

The family would like to thank the following for their assistance, support, friendship, kindness, and guidance during this past year: City of Hope Arcadia (Dr. Samuel Chung, Nurse Crystal Moran, and staff); Health Care Partners of Arcadia (Dr. Samuel Ho, Dr. Adam Kendall, and staff); Regency Grand Assisted Living in West Covina (Alicia, Leah, Rosalinda, Debbie, Elbia, Juan, Tara, Em, Blanca, Carmen, Sara, and so many others who smile and spread happiness and sunshine to each resident daily); and the Roze Room Palliative Care and Hospice (Dr. Cartmel and staff). A special thanks and acknowledgement to Doris' neighbors, tenants, former tenants, pool specialist, accountant, and dentist; every one of these individuals kept an eye out for Doris and helped her in so many ways (Dennis York and family, Ryan & Sandy Rosete, Tony & Maria Samaniego, Linda Caston, Sal Hipolito, Mary Singman, and Badr Barsoum, DDS). You are ALL angels, and God is saving a special place for you all in heaven someday.

And to Doris' lifelong friend, Thelma King Kunkle, of York, PA. To maintain a friendship since childhood is extraordinary. It is unique, and special. Doris was truly blessed having you as a friend. Your cards, letters, phone calls, kept her going and gave her support through the years of trials and tribulations. And in her last days, your call meant so much to Doris, and her family. Thank you.

There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial Service on Saturday June 13, 1pm-5pm at the Temple City Women's Club, 9704 Woodruff Avenue, (corner Woodruff and Kaufman), Temple City CA 91780.
ALL ARE WELCOME!