Joy Ann Baker

Our loving mother, wife and grandmother Joy Ann Baker, 86, passed away in the early hours of Monday, Aug. 29, 2016, at St. Patrick Hospital due to a sudden cardiac arrest. Our family is truly saddened by her loss but feel fortunate to have been there with her.

Joy was born on Feb. 12, 1930, in Shelby to Robert and Emma Rathbun. Joy, the youngest of three children, grew up in Sunburst where her father worked as a geologist for the petroleum refinery. Living on the family farm, she developed the self-confidence and determination she displayed throughout her long and interesting life. Joy graduated from Sunburst High School and later from Rocky Mountain College in Billings with a bachelor of arts in secondary education.

Teaching a high school business curriculum, including typing and shorthand, allowed her to live and teach in Nevada, Washington, Alaska, Japan, Belfry and Anaconda. It was in Anaconda where Joy met Charles Baker and they married on June 6, 1959. In 1963 the couple transferred with the Anaconda Company/Champion International to make Missoula their permanent home.

After moving to Missoula, Joy chose to raise a family first. In 1974, Joy joined the Missoula YWCA as activity director. Seeing a great need in the community, Joy was instrumental in the formation of the Missoula YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter.

Joy made friends easily and was very active in the Missoula community. She played in three bridge clubs and participated in TOPS weekly. She always was a teacher, a leader and a dear friend. She was an inspiration to so many. Joy enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking and especially baking. No apple pie will ever taste as good as those made by Joy.

A wife, mother and grandmother she freely gave her love to family and friends. Survivors include her loving husband of 57 years, Charles R. Baker; children Charlotte and (Raymond) Nelson, Robert C. Baker and her truly pride and joy granddaughters Hope Nelson of Missoula and Jennifer Nelson of Issaquah, Washington. She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Emma; sister Nan C. Friesen; brother Robert Rathbun, and cousins William Cossey, John Byfield and other family members.

A celebration of life service will be held at the Garden City Funeral Home on Saturday, Sept. 3, at 11 a.m. Burial will occur at a future time. We are certain it would please Joy if any donations in her memory would be made to the charity of your choice.