Mary Bernadette Marko Baker

Mary Bernadette Marko Baker
8/15/30 –8/24/24

Beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, Mary Bernadette Baker peacefully entered eternal life on August 24, 2024, surrounded by her husband and loving family.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, Matthew and Elizabeth Marko, and all of her siblings, with whom she shared a deep love and innumerable laughs: Anthony, Frank, Catherine (Stasik), William, Elizabeth (Beck), Anna (Fabean), and Joseph. Over the years, Mary became the matriarch of the Marko clan. Her home became the gathering spot for numerous family parties, and she was happiest when everyone was together.

Mary met the love of her life, Walter, while working at a soda fountain shoppe, and the rest, as they say, is history. They married in 1953 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Moon Run. Mary and Walt were a unified team in everything and together provided a faith-filled, loving home. They shared an unfaltering and tender love, often expressed with a simple look, touch, or smile, and on September 5, 2023 they joyfully celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

Mary and Walt were the proud parents of nine children: Marybeth (Jake) McCutcheon, Theressa (Rick) Strong, Walter (Michelle) Baker, Karen (Harrison) Lauer, Susie (Neal) Shipley, Lori (Michael) Roberts, Betsy (Mike) Moshier, Brad (Marielle) Baker, and Anne (Russell) Wible. She deeply loved them and her 31 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary was a wonderful mother, always encouraging her children’s and grandchildren’s pursuits in sports, music, and academics; she enthusiastically cheered them on at events from preschool to graduate school. She loved spending time with her grand and great-grandchildren, and kept a kid-friendly house full of toys, games and fruit snacks.

Mary received her nursing degree from the Ohio Valley School of Nursing, where she made many lifelong friends. She worked there as Head Nurse in Labor and Delivery, then was promoted to night Nursing Supervisor for the hospital, a position she held until she and Walt started a family. While raising young children, Mary assisted Walt in his veterinary practice, and later supported him in his dream of becoming a medical doctor.

Mary’s deep Catholic faith always guided her. She had a strong devotion to our Blessed Mother and prayed the rosary daily. Mary was a great example of someone who put her faith into action. She touched family and friends far and wide with her acts of kindness. Over the years she comforted many through her volunteer work with the Holy Trinity Consolation Ministry. Mary was also famous for sending cards for every occasion, and was quietly generous to those in need, often surprising others with a card and gift. She had a way of making each person she knew feel so very special and loved.

Mary relished life, enjoying time with family and friends, sports of all kinds, the Florida ocean, the swing at the cabin, baking nut roll, bus trips with nurse friends, games of Parcheesi and Solitaire, singing Christmas carols, and especially a good joke and laugh.

We celebrate the gift of Mary’s life and the love and joy she brought to those of us blessed to have known her.

Family and friends are welcome for visitation on Monday, August 26, 2024 from 6:00-8:30pm and on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 from 2:00-4:00pm and 6:00-8:30pm at Pittsburgh Cremation and Funeral Care, 5405 Steubenville Pike Robinson Township, PA 15136. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on August 28, 2024 at 11:00am at Archangel Gabriel Parish, Holy Trinity Church, Robinson Township, PA. Committal prayers to follow at Resurrection Cemetery Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Archangel Gabriel Catholic School, 5720 Steubenville Pike McKees Rocks, PA 15136.
https://www.archangelgabrielpgh.org/give