Margaret Anne (Peg) Steele Baker was born in Lancaster, PA, 3 July 1935 to Margaret Shaub Steele and Murray Hamut Steele and died 8 April 2024 in Jacksonville, FL, surrounded by many family members. Peg’s family moved from Lancaster to Williamsport, PA in 1940, where Peg spent the years until her marriage in 1956 to John H. (Jack) Baker. Their vows were received at St. Luke Church, Jersey Shore, PA by Fr. Bob Kline, Jack’s teacher at Mt. St. Mary’s College.
Peg graduated from Williamsport High School, Class of 1953 and Geisinger School of Nursing, Class of 1956. She began her nursing career at Mercy Hospital, Buffalo where Jack was an intern. In addition to bedside nursing, Peg used her considerable skills at a school for disabled children, as an advocate for nursing home patients, and with Jack during his time in private medical practice. She spent twenty years, during Jack’s career in Navy Medicine, doing the “hardest job in the Navy,” that of a Navy Wife. Along with her loving skills as spouse, mother, and center of family strength, Peg found time to complete a degree in gerontology at Millersville University of Pennsylvania. She supported many activities in the Catholic parishes to which the family belonged in their travels across the globe from St. Andrew, San Diego to Our Lady and St. Muns in Dunoon, Argyll, Scotland. In retirement in Jacksonville, Peg was an “elder statesperson” of the Council of Catholic Women of her parish, Most Holy Redeemer, and the Diocese of St. Augustine, often as the spiritual director, as well as “planner and doer.”
In addition to her parents, Peg was predeceased by her brothers, Jim and Don, and nephew Jamie. Four children predeceased her, as well: stillborns Alice and William, Margaret at 2 years, and Rebecca at 47 years. To assist other grieving parents, Peg started a celebration, with Mass, in two parishes on the Feast of the Holy Innocents, a practice continued by others at Most Holy Redeemer Parish during Peg’s disability. She is survived by her husband of 68 years and her children Robert, John II, Therese, Elizabeth, Geoffrey, Anne (adopted granddaughter) and Christopher, as well as many nieces and nephews; one nephew predeceased her. Peg has nineteen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at Most Holy Redeemer Church, Jacksonville at 1030am, 13 April. The Vigil Liturgy will be 12 April at 600pm at the church. Presiding Celebrant will be her former pastor, Fr. Tom Willis. Concelebrant will be Priest in Residence, Fr. Cesar Torres-Pinzon. Deacons of the Mass will be Jack’s deacon colleagues, Deacon Milton Vega and Deacon Peter Dang. Committal at the convenience of the family will be later in the Bishop Brute Section of the Mt. St. Mary’s Cemetery in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Peg and Jack have chosen plain wooden caskets made by the Trappist Monks of New Melleray Abbey, Peosta, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Peg may be made to Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Jacksonville, St. Augustine Council of Catholic Women, and Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA.
Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church
Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church
Kim Coom
April 10, 2024, 10:17 am
My deepest sympathy and love for the whole family! My Ter Bear I know momma will always hold special place in your heart and know for you and your dad and family my love and prayers are with you !🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️
Amy Leishear
April 10, 2024, 12:30 pm
Terri, no words can take away the pain of your mom’s passing, but know she was not afraid and will be part of you and with you always! Hugs to you from Mike and I. We love you!
Barry Stenger
April 10, 2024, 1:29 pm
Liz, thinking of you and your family. Very sorry to hear about your loss. Sending our love.
Candy Howerton
April 11, 2024, 7:59 am
Terri, I’m so sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. What you and your family wrote about her is a loving tribute to her. How lovely that she started a mass of remembrance for the innocents. Sending you a big hug and a lot of love.
Angie Fox-Antoniak
April 11, 2024, 11:44 am
What an incredible woman! She leaves a beautiful legacy. I am so sorry for your loss and I am thinking of you all with love, Terri.
Karen and John Hayes
April 11, 2024, 7:47 pm
Liz and family, so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. John and I are sending our love and prayers. A Mom’s love is endless and enduring. Our deepest condolences.
Lisa Dore' King
April 12, 2024, 9:16 am
My heart breaks to hear of Peg’s passing. I remember when she & Deacon came to MHR and will miss seeing her at Sat night mass. Prayers for acceptance as she is raised up to heaven.
Cindy Lefko
April 12, 2024, 3:45 pm
Teri, My condolences in the loss of your Mom. One of my fondest memories was sitting down to dinner at your home in Manheim with most of the siblings. Peg said, “ don’t be shy Cindy or you won’t eat”. She always made me feel welcome. May her memory give you strength in the years to come. Love to you and the family. Cindy
Georgette McAndrew
April 12, 2024, 5:51 pm
Dearest Terri and all your family, I am so very saddened by your Mom’s passing. She was a beautiful soul and loved you all so dearly. I loved seeing all the pictures she posted on FaceBook. I also loved how she picked up on our dahlink thing, Terri. It made me laugh, and I hope it brought a smile to her face. May her memory be eternal.
Dianne and Larry Cooke
April 13, 2024, 9:50 am
My deepest condolences. Praying for the whole family❤️🙏we love you all.
Jacqueline Scheidler
April 13, 2024, 8:13 pm
Margaret you will be so missed. I loved going back and forth on Facebook. On messenger with our prayer warrior ladies. Such a beautiful and caring person. You loved your family so much. You had your beautiful prayer list and I will continue praying and sharing it. Thank you for being in my life. Love and prayers to her family. Her list: Healing prayers for:
Pope Francis, Deacon Chuck and Darlene Kanaszka, Diana Folino, Fr. Jeff, Fr.Cesar, Deacon Moe Culver, Carleen Van Siclen, Jewel Griffith, Kathy McIntire, Elvira Demdam, Cathy Christersson ,Tyler Rivkin, Billy Kraus, Fred Fannie Cabales , Lily , Peggy Ritz, Joy, Tim Lozier, Bishop Estevez, Fr.Tom Willis, Anita Thompson,
Nancy Bishop, Gerris Brown and Mike, David and Betsy Elizabeth Harris, Patricia Kaman, Brian Kaman, Joyce Kaman, Frances Campbell, Ed Sundy, Manny Manjon, Laura Kraus, Theresa Rainone, Gina, Bill Coleman, Patricia Meisner, Donna Ridgway, Roslyn Smith, Al Smith, Debbie Searcy, Wayne Fogle, Bonnie Despres, V M Farkas Harrison, Sarah Elizabeth, Savannah, and Thomas Quigg, Marisela and Hector Latimer-Ruiz, Dr. Hassan, Steve Baxendale, Linda and Jim Skulsky, Barbara Nalepka, John Baker II, Deacon Jack Baker, Juanita Campbell, Sarinthia Gushanas, Anne Norko, Miranda Bui, Josh, Audrey, Sunni, Anne Flannery, Patti Brownn, Dan Bednarik, Terri Bednarik, Sophia Bednarik, Joseph Bednarik, Georgette McAndrew, Charlie Golgoni, Todd, and Lise Jolly, Randy and Alicia McCausland Bird, Carrie and Patrick Knezevich , Ralph W Pembleton, Mac Nickles, Lavada Norko, George Howard, Robert Leverock, Alan, Lucas Goeller, Chandra, Jamie, Joanie, Bob, Sean, Deacon Jeff & Silvana Silvernale, Deacon Art Treadwell, Carol Harle, Tommy & Karen Venables Bound, Jim & Maureen, Ron and Mary Thayer, Mary Thayer’s Mother, Beryl Anita Steele, Jim Steele, Conner Steele, Kim Steele Bouscher, Ramona Teahan , Fr. AdamHopeandPeaceand his Mother, Mrs. Izbicki, Jan Dickey Chiofolo, Maureen Williams, Leigh Robinson, Gov.Ron Desantis, Florida Pregnancy Care Network, Nancy Sikora, June Watson, Jeff Bartruff, Jack & Chriss L Bartruff, Eileen Ciccone Gillooly, Joan and Geoff Grossman, Staci Sears Duncan , Beverly Rudzik Yagins, J.Jaye Hurlley, Valerie Love, & Debra Capley. All who are affected by the war in Israel, the hostages in Gaza, their families, and all who are in need of healing in body, mind, and/or Spirit. For Bishop Erik and all the Priests, Seminarians, Deacons, and consecrated Religious of the Diocese of St. Augustine, may they always be open to the Will of the Holy Spirit in their lives and in their Ministry. For the repose of the souls of all the faithful departed. May they rest in the Peace of Christ. Amen