Mary Virginia (Souders) Baker

With profound sadness, the family of Mary Virginia Baker announces her passing on August 13, 2024, at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, New Jersey.  Mary Virginia was born in Bayonne, New Jersey on July 9, 1934, and attended St. Mary’s Parochial School and Holy Family Academy.   After her marriage to Harold in 1957 and the birth of two children, Steven and Shari, the family moved to Hazlet in 1964. Lisa, her third child, was born in Hazlet.

While her children were in school, Mary Virginia, who was known as Virginia, was very active in the community.  She was Cub Scout den mother for seven years and Junior Girl Scout leader for ten years at Sycamore Drive School.  She held several offices in the PTA, including president, and contributed to and participated in fund-raising events.  Virginia was known for her decorations and craft talents. During her children’s high school years, she was active in the Band Parents organization as editor of the newsletter.

Virginia was employed at Sears in Middletown from 1981 to 1996 in the Service Department as a data entry clerk.   Socially active, she organized trips to Broadway plays, dinners and the annual picnic.  When she retired from Sears, she volunteered at the ARC thrift store in Matawan and was manager for six years.  As a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Benedict Church in Holmdel, she volunteered at the Food Pantry for fifteen years. 

Mary was an avid NY Giants football fan; she organized tailgate parties at Giants Stadium for twenty-three years.  Spending Sundays at the stadium and celebrating with her tailgate buddies were her favorite pastimes.

Her love of sewing enabled her to participate in craft shows throughout the year.  Yearly cruises with her husband, Harold, Broadway shows with friends, vacations in Cape May, Daytona Beach and the Smoky Mountains and getting together with her family were her most enjoyable times.

Mary is survived by her beloved husband, Harold S. Baker Jr., her loving children, Steven Baker and his wife Susan, Shari Baker, and Lisa Zingler and her husband, Kirk, and her grandchildren, Charles, Daniel, Deanna, Devan, Julian, and Ray, and her adored great grandchildren, Baker and Colby.  She was fondly known as “Ginny” by her cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In respect of Mary’s wishes, she will be privately cremated.  Shore Point Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 3269 State Highway/Route 35 North, Hazlet, New Jersey 07730 were entrusted with her funeral arrangements. 

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church, 165 Bethany Road, Holmdel, NJ, 07733, on Wednesday August 21st, 2024 at 11:00AM. For more information or to send condolences to the family please visit www.shorepointfh.com

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