Obituary of Connie Baker

Constance “Connie” Mary Eleanor June (nee Shouldice) BAKER

“Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth…and touched the face of God.”

In her 90th year, died peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospice, London, Ontario, on March 17, 2025. She is predeceased by her parents, Garnet and Jessie (nee Davidson) Shouldice, and her sisters Yvonne Holmes and Phyllis Brough. Lovingly remembered by her sister, Rosemary Westover and brother, Danny (Arlene) Shouldice. Survived and dearly missed by her loving children: Bonnie Baker, Lori (Mike) James and Richard “Rick” Baker; adored grandchildren Billy (Elysse) Langeveld, Dean (Keri) Baker, Sarah James, Chris (Kasey) James, Corey (Aysha) Baker, Jory (Jesse) Langeveld, and Kyle Baker; and beloved great-grandchildren, Wesley Langeveld, Emilie Langeveld, and Daxton Baker.

Connie was born in Lion’s Head, Ontario, on November 9, 1935, where she spent her childhood. Diagnosed with tuberculosis in her early teens, she spent two years away from her family as a patient in the London “San”. Upon returning to Lion’s Head, she completed high school, and then moved to London, Ontario, to work. 

In London, she met and married Dale Baker; together, they had 3 children. After establishing her family, she fulfilled her life-long dream of joining the nursing profession and became a Registered Nursing Assistant. She worked in a dental surgery office before moving to St. Thomas, where she worked at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital and then long-term care. Later, she returned to London and continued to work in long-term care. 

With her children grown, Connie returned to her hometown of Lion’s Head (her beloved Bruce Peninsula) to be closer to her parents and continue working in long-term care. With the help of her family, she built her home, alongside her sisters, on Georgian Bay. She built a life for herself, embracing the nature surrounding her. 

For her grandchildren, Lion’s Head is simply synonymous with their grandma. She remained by the cold, blue water until her health required her to relocate back to London, bringing her closer to her children and grandchildren. Connie enjoyed assisted living - no cooking or cleaning required - and despite developing Alzheimer’s in her later years, her sense of humour remained. Although she missed her Georgian Bay, she was happy. Over the last four months of her life, Connie retained her sense of humour and spent invaluable quality time with her family. 

From a young age, Connie felt an affinity for caregiving. She had an innate empathy and tenderness in her approach to caring for others, in that she never just went through the motions; she was wholly present and truly cared for those she served. Even in her later years, she would spend much of her time volunteering at the local nursing/retirement home in her community or practicing foot care.

Mom never needed to look far to find natural beauty in the world around her. She so easily found joy and beauty in the simple things. Whether it be a flower on the side of the road or a rock on the ground, she would instinctively find ways to look at things that made them interesting and appealing. She had an unwavering ability to laugh at herself and had fun doing almost anything. She admired the simplest, most mundane things. The treasures she collected were often passed on to her children and grandchildren.

Connie embodied so many qualities to her loved ones, always setting an example. In particular her deep faith, love for her family, her value of friendship, and her insistence to always have fun. She was active in her church, particularly the children’s Vacation Bible School. Her grandchildren remember countless summers of grandma’s music, skits, puppets, and decorations. She adored music, gardening, crafting, and laughing. She took joy in seeing her family grow through marriages and having children of their own. Just as she relished being a mother, she delighted in being a grandmother. 

We all miss her so terribly.

A special thank you to the staff at Ashwood Manor for their loving care, and to St. Joseph’s Hospice, London, for their compassion in mom’s final days.

A celebration of her life and interment in Lion’s Head at the Eastnor Township Cemetery on May 26th, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Online condolences and memorial donations to St. Joseph’s Hospice, London, Ontario, may be left at www.funeraloptions.ca.