Obituary of Rita O'Connor Baker

Rita O’Connor Baker (70) of Elbridge, formally of Tipperary Hill in Syracuse, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2018 after a 15-year battle with early onset Alzheimer’s.  She was surrounded by her family and more love than one might possibly imagine. 

Rita was a graduate from St. Patrick’s High School and Powelson Business School.  She was a long-time employee of Syracuse University and she loved watching SU sports.  But what made Rita smile most, was spending time with her close family and her wonderful friends.  Her smile was infectious, and every room she entered always got a little bit brighter.  It’s no secret that everyone who knew her absolutely adored her.  Rita was loved by many.

She was predeceased by her parents Bill and Rosalind (McPeak) O’Connor, sister Nancy Jacuk, mother and father-in-law Raymond and Verna Baker, and nephews James Capone and Tommy Moore. 

She is survived by her loving husband of 48 years Peter Baker; her children Bridget (Ben) Shaw, Molly (Adam) Godfrey, and Casey Baker (Tracey Shults) as well as 6 beautiful grandchildren McKenzie, Bailey, Zachary, and Kerrigan Shaw, and Keegan and Kinley Godfrey.  Rita is also survived by her sister Mary Ann (Tom) Moore, brother-in-law Dave Jacuk, sister and brother-in-law Mary Ann and Bob Capone, sister in-law Mable Baker, and 15 nieces and nephews that she loved with all her heart. 

Thank you to the wonderful people at Eastern Star in Oriskany for all the love and care that they gave Rita over the past 7 years.  Also to the staff at St. Luke’s Hospital for providing a comforting atmosphere for Rita and her family during her final days. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at St. Patrick’s St. Brigid's Church, 216 N. Lowell Ave. Calling hours will be held on Friday, November 23, 2018 from 3 to 6pm at the Edward J. Ryan and Son Funeral home, 3180 Bellevue Ave.  Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association CNY chapter at www.alz.org/centralnewyork in Rita’s loving memory.