Obituary: Hanna Baker, Retired Special Education Teacher

By O'Connor Mortuary

Hanna C. Baker died suddenly in her home on October 19. She was 66. 

Hanna recently retired as a Special Education Instructor at Melinda Heights Elementary after 26 years of giving hope and love to children challenged by the traditional education system.

Hanna grew up in Lafayette Louisiana with her two brothers. She loved to go fishing and frogging with her Dad and sewed for her mother, making many of her dresses.

Hanna was a warm and caring person who put others before her own needs. While living in Tampa Florida she spent 6 weeks caring for her father at the Veterans hospital in New Orleans in his final weeks. She was The Vice president of the Rock Springs Chapter of the YWCA.

Her life was a shining example to those with physical challenges as she led an active and adventurous life with Rheumatoid Arthritis for over 50 years.

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Hanna was first and foremost a loving and giving mother, grandmother and wife. She worked from the age of 16. Beginning with her job at Girard park public swimming pool where she met and fell in love with her husband Bill. During her life she was a secretary to the Maryland State Fire Marshall and the legal secretary to Congressman Sam Gibbons of Tampa Florida and the Assistant Personnel Director at the hospital in Rock Springs Wyoming.

She found her final career choice while volunteering as a tutor for her daughter’s elementary school (St. Catherine’s). Hanna was an avid camper and was always looking forward to the next adventure. She took her daughter camping in the Smoky Mountains when Cara was only 4 months old and this summer she took both grandchildren Christian and Savannah camping to Big Sur, California. Between those two events she rarely slowed down. When faced with decisions in her life she always opted for the active, adventuresome, fun, joyous and full of life options.

She is survived by her husband of 45 years of marriage, Bill. Her Daughter, Cara Hopkins, Son-in-law Jeff and Two beautiful Grand Children Christian and Savannah. Also surviving her, are her Brothers Tom Cormier and family of Seattle, Washington and Adam Cormier and family of Dayton Ohio. Additionally she is survived by nine nieces and nephews and over fifteen Grand nephews and Grand nieces.

A memorial service was last month. In lieu of flowers her family asked that everyone make a donation to either the Arthritis foundation or the Louisiana Orphan Train Society, Inc., 610 Garland Ave., Opelousas, LA 70570.