Obituary for Patricia S. Baker (Smerekanicz)
Keeping our promise there would be no obituary, wake, or funeral, we offer this letterto our mother.
Dear Mom,
You have fought a long, tough battle through stroke and dementia; but on July 24, 2023 you left us to join your parents Anna Sydoriak and Nicholas Smerekanicz, in that “other room, just around the corner.” We know you’ll be ok, as your siblings, William, Mary, Julia, Louis, John, Dorothy, Metro, Lillian, Helen, and Joseph, will welcome you. And your daughter-in-law, Karen Sullivan Baker, was given specific instructions to help guide you to your new home. Though your surviving siblings, Paulette Smith (Stafford, VA) and Paul Smerekanicz(Beacon Falls, CT)—as well as several nieces and nephews—will miss your visits and phone calls, they too, are glad you have found your peace.
Your absence will be greatly felt by us, your forever-grateful children who survive you, knowing how lucky we’ve been to have your presence in our life for much of your 85 years. We remember you as a young mom, working part-time at the Bungay Elementary School cafeteria in Seymour, where you were born and raised your family. You later worked many years as a secretary at the old SNET Co, and then at the St. Raphael Hospital Foundation. But everyone knew your greatest job was being a devoted mom.You solooked forward to road trips to visit wherever life took us, or just on any road less traveled, from Nova Scotia to Georgia. You passed down to us that love of exploring, as well as your love of family, theater, music, and watching sports, still cheering for the Cincinnati Bengals, Red Sox, and UCONN Basketball. You so enjoyed working in the yard when you were able, and everyone knewhow much you loved our rescue dogs, Maia, Danny, and Ellie.
Your greatest wish as you got older was to not have to be in a nursing home. We could not have given you that without your long-time caregiver, Michele, whose companionship allowed you to remain at home the past few years. We also had help from several others especially in the last couple of years, to whom we entrusted your care, and to whom we are very grateful,especially our “other” Pat. Special thanks to Home Instead Senior Care over the past 8 years, and to Mozaic Hospice—especially Nurse Lynn, and aides Fallon and Sandra--for the compassion and care shown to our mom during the last months of her life. In lieu of cards or flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following: MozaicHospice, Bridgeport, CT; Second Chance Animal Rescue, Ponce, PR; or Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter, Branford, CT. Hull Funeral Home will handle all arrangements.
Judith’s Momoushka, Rick’s Mamacita…youare so very loved, no matter time, or space, or distance. And though you will be missed indescribably, we only say “see you soon,” confidentthat you’ll always make your presence known to us; you promised with a pinky swear, afterall. We love you very, very much, and thank you for being our mom.
Rick Baker, Roswell, GA and Judith Baker, Ansonia, CT
Dear Mom,
You have fought a long, tough battle through stroke and dementia; but on July 24, 2023 you left us to join your parents Anna Sydoriak and Nicholas Smerekanicz, in that “other room, just around the corner.” We know you’ll be ok, as your siblings, William, Mary, Julia, Louis, John, Dorothy, Metro, Lillian, Helen, and Joseph, will welcome you. And your daughter-in-law, Karen Sullivan Baker, was given specific instructions to help guide you to your new home. Though your surviving siblings, Paulette Smith (Stafford, VA) and Paul Smerekanicz(Beacon Falls, CT)—as well as several nieces and nephews—will miss your visits and phone calls, they too, are glad you have found your peace.
Your absence will be greatly felt by us, your forever-grateful children who survive you, knowing how lucky we’ve been to have your presence in our life for much of your 85 years. We remember you as a young mom, working part-time at the Bungay Elementary School cafeteria in Seymour, where you were born and raised your family. You later worked many years as a secretary at the old SNET Co, and then at the St. Raphael Hospital Foundation. But everyone knew your greatest job was being a devoted mom.You solooked forward to road trips to visit wherever life took us, or just on any road less traveled, from Nova Scotia to Georgia. You passed down to us that love of exploring, as well as your love of family, theater, music, and watching sports, still cheering for the Cincinnati Bengals, Red Sox, and UCONN Basketball. You so enjoyed working in the yard when you were able, and everyone knewhow much you loved our rescue dogs, Maia, Danny, and Ellie.
Your greatest wish as you got older was to not have to be in a nursing home. We could not have given you that without your long-time caregiver, Michele, whose companionship allowed you to remain at home the past few years. We also had help from several others especially in the last couple of years, to whom we entrusted your care, and to whom we are very grateful,especially our “other” Pat. Special thanks to Home Instead Senior Care over the past 8 years, and to Mozaic Hospice—especially Nurse Lynn, and aides Fallon and Sandra--for the compassion and care shown to our mom during the last months of her life. In lieu of cards or flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following: MozaicHospice, Bridgeport, CT; Second Chance Animal Rescue, Ponce, PR; or Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter, Branford, CT. Hull Funeral Home will handle all arrangements.
Judith’s Momoushka, Rick’s Mamacita…youare so very loved, no matter time, or space, or distance. And though you will be missed indescribably, we only say “see you soon,” confidentthat you’ll always make your presence known to us; you promised with a pinky swear, afterall. We love you very, very much, and thank you for being our mom.
Rick Baker, Roswell, GA and Judith Baker, Ansonia, CT