Frances E. (Hidley) Baker

Malta - Frances E. Hidley Baker, 94, of Thimbleberry Road Malta died Wednesday, October 18, 2018, at the Saratoga Center for Rehabilitation in Ballston Spa after a brief  illness.

Born in Wynantskill, she was daughter of the late Willard I. Hidley and Bessie  Dwyer Hidley and wife for 63 years of the late Leo Baker. She was raised in Wynantskill, her family, the Hidley's, came to the area from Germany in 1754 and were among the Founders of the Dutch Reformed Church in the village.  She and her husband helped construct their home in Defreestville and resided there for 48 years. She resided in Malta since 1997 and was a  graduate and Salutatorian of the class of 1940 of Averill Park High School and attended Russell Sage College. 

Mrs. Baker was an executive medical secretary for the Sterling Winthrop Research Institute in Rensselaer for 16 years retiring in 1985.  Prior to that she worked at Samaritan Hospital Medical Records and for Dr. Elizabeth Palmer for 16 years and Dr. Leo Weinstein for 9 years.
  
A volunteer for the past 18 years for the Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary, she loved reading, concerts, travel and crossword puzzles - a cruciverbalist.  She was a patron of Troy Chromatic Concerts, The Gateway Theater, Rensselaer County Historical Society, was secretary for many years of the Greenbush Historical Society.  She met her husband while square dancing and they danced all their lives.  Fran and Leo loved to vacation in Cape Cod and Lake George, traveled around the United States, twice to Europe and once to Bermuda. 

She was active in her church and music.  A communicant of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Troy for over 50 years. She was active in the Couples Club, the church choir, and Play Readers, Musical Art Club, handbell choir, sang in school choirs and glee clubs and sang in the Melodaires, a quartet that also performed on the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall stage for the Troy Vocal Society.    

Survivors include two sons, James S. (Deborah) Baker, Malta and Thomas L. (Janet) Baker, Jamesville, NY; twin grandsons, James and John Baker and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three brothers, Ralph, Robert and John Hidley. 

Relatives and friends may call at the Bryce Funeral Home, Inc.  276 Pawling Avenue Troy on Sunday, October 22, 2017 from 4-6 PM. 

Funeral service will be held Monday at 11AM at the St. Paul's Episcopal Church State and Third Streets Troy with Rev. Michael Gorchov, Rector, officiating.

Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery Wynantskill.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Frances E. Baker to St. Paul's Episcopal Church 58 Third Street Troy, NY 12180 or Northeast Health Foundation for Samaritan Hospital 2224 Burdett Avenue Troy, NY 12180. 

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