Kathleen "Tracy" Baker

Kathleen "Tracy" Baker, 76, of Summersville, WV, passed away peacefully at home on December 11, 2024.  Tracy was born in Nuremburg, Germany on an Army base to Paul and Jesse Kathleen Burger on July 20, 1948.

      She was a graduate of Central Columbia High School, then received her undergraduate degree from Bloomsburg State College followed by a M.S. in School Psychology from Penn State University in 1979.  She tirelessly advocated for children throughout her life, especially those requiring special needs. Her career began as a Special Education teacher in 1970 in Pennsylvania. She then relocated to West Virginia in 1980 and retired as a School Psychologist/Psychology Coordinator for the Nicholas County Board of Education after serving for over 35 years. She was enthusiastic about making sure every child she worked with was able to receive the best education possible.  She also very much enjoyed reading books, going to art museums, and loving her pets. She also had a special fondness for New Yorker cartoons. Post-retirement, she became active at her local church where she helped teach Bible Study at Sunday school -- allowing her to continue her mission of education with a dash of scripture and a sprinkle of kindness.

      She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her brother, Ray, who likely couldn't wait to share some heavenly laughs with her. 

      She is survived by her son Paul Singer and his wife Peg of Cadillac, Michigan; her son Zach Baker and his partner Charles Waite of Wentzville, MO; her daughter Molly  Baker and her husband Joe of Santa Fe, NM; her grandson Joshua Singer of Cadillac, MI; her cousin Roger Schell of Newtown, PA; her cousin Paula Smith of Alexandria, AL; and her sister-in-law Carol Burger of Rogers, AR.

      A memorial service that promises to be less of a goodbye and more of a celebration will be held for Tracy on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 4:00pm with Pastor Dan Lowther officiating at Summersville Memorial United Methodist Church, 1317 Webster Rd, Summersville, WV.  Family and friends may visit an hour prior to the service.  Arrangements were made with the White-Anderson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Summersville.

      In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to ASPCA, The Arc Alliance, or any other charity that Tracy would have loved, because even in her departure she is still advocating for those who need it the most.  Let's keep her legacy of laughter and love going strong.         

      Condolences may be made to the family at our website www.whitefuneralhomewv.com

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