1942
Gwendolyn
2005
Gwendolyn Provost Brown (Beard) Baker
February 1, 1942 — December 20, 2005
WEST BROOKFIELD - Gwendolyn (Beard) Provost Brown Baker, beloved wife of Robert Guy Baker of West Brookfield and a former long-time resident of Westborough, died early Tuesday, December 20, 2005 at the Hospice at Coes Pond in Worcester after an illness.
Mrs. Baker was born in Worcester, a daughter of the late Charles and Rita A. (Chartier) Beard. She was a 1960 graduate of North High School in Worcester and attended the Ollis Academy of Hairdressing that same year. She enjoyed over forty years of hairdressing in Holden, Ashland, and Westborough with many co-workers and clients who are still dear friends. She did a great deal of volunteer work as a co-chairperson of the Fresh Air Fund, giving inner city children a vacation in the country; with the Evangelical Congregational Church of Westborough as a youth advisor, Sunday School teacher, and on several committees; and on the board of directors of The Bridge of Central Mass.
In recognition of her work with children, she received the Foster Parent of the Year Award from the Governor of Massachusetts for foster parenting over 100 children in her home for over twenty years. She specialized in working with teenaged girls and had a waiting list to get into her home. She also received the Woman of the Year Award from the Westborough Grange. More recently, she volunteered as a "pal" for Horizons for the Homeless in Worcester.
Gwen's loving interest in her family led her to spend much time adoring and spoiling her grandchildren in her home and cheering them on at their football and soccer games and equestrian events.
In addition to her husband, she leaves one son, Roland K. Provost and his wife Susan and their daughter Nicole Ruth Provost of Rutland; three daughters, Dawn Lisa (Provost) Drake and her children Daniel Robert, Amber Gwendolyn, and Sterling Nicole Drake of Otis; Jennifer Ellen Brown and her daughter Jackie Rose Brown of Brimfield; and newly married Brandy Alyce (Brown) Zeal and her husband Richard of West Brookfield. She is also survived by her sister, Charlene Blake of West Brookfield, and a brother, Roger Beard of South Carolina and their families; and three stepchildren, Mark Baker and his wife Lynne and their sons Eric and Alec Baker of Melbourne, FL; Susan (Baker) Goodridge and her husband Jonathan and their children Elizabeth and Benjamin Goodridge of Lexington; and Dr. Andrew Dearborn Baker and his son Remington Baker of Danvers; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, foster children, and friends. She was also the sister of the late Fred C. Beard.
In lieu of flowers, Gwen requested that donations be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield 01104; to the Make A Wish Foundation, One Bulfinch Place, 2nd Floor, Boston 02114; or to any program which will benefit children.
with burial in Lakeview Cemetery in Upton.
There are no calling hours.
A celebration of life memorial service
at 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 22, 2005
at the Evangelical Congregational Church, 8 Church Street, Westborough
for friends and family.
Mrs. Baker was born in Worcester, a daughter of the late Charles and Rita A. (Chartier) Beard. She was a 1960 graduate of North High School in Worcester and attended the Ollis Academy of Hairdressing that same year. She enjoyed over forty years of hairdressing in Holden, Ashland, and Westborough with many co-workers and clients who are still dear friends. She did a great deal of volunteer work as a co-chairperson of the Fresh Air Fund, giving inner city children a vacation in the country; with the Evangelical Congregational Church of Westborough as a youth advisor, Sunday School teacher, and on several committees; and on the board of directors of The Bridge of Central Mass.
In recognition of her work with children, she received the Foster Parent of the Year Award from the Governor of Massachusetts for foster parenting over 100 children in her home for over twenty years. She specialized in working with teenaged girls and had a waiting list to get into her home. She also received the Woman of the Year Award from the Westborough Grange. More recently, she volunteered as a "pal" for Horizons for the Homeless in Worcester.
Gwen's loving interest in her family led her to spend much time adoring and spoiling her grandchildren in her home and cheering them on at their football and soccer games and equestrian events.
In addition to her husband, she leaves one son, Roland K. Provost and his wife Susan and their daughter Nicole Ruth Provost of Rutland; three daughters, Dawn Lisa (Provost) Drake and her children Daniel Robert, Amber Gwendolyn, and Sterling Nicole Drake of Otis; Jennifer Ellen Brown and her daughter Jackie Rose Brown of Brimfield; and newly married Brandy Alyce (Brown) Zeal and her husband Richard of West Brookfield. She is also survived by her sister, Charlene Blake of West Brookfield, and a brother, Roger Beard of South Carolina and their families; and three stepchildren, Mark Baker and his wife Lynne and their sons Eric and Alec Baker of Melbourne, FL; Susan (Baker) Goodridge and her husband Jonathan and their children Elizabeth and Benjamin Goodridge of Lexington; and Dr. Andrew Dearborn Baker and his son Remington Baker of Danvers; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, foster children, and friends. She was also the sister of the late Fred C. Beard.
In lieu of flowers, Gwen requested that donations be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield 01104; to the Make A Wish Foundation, One Bulfinch Place, 2nd Floor, Boston 02114; or to any program which will benefit children.
Service Details
Private funeral services from the Williams-Pedersen Funeral Homewith burial in Lakeview Cemetery in Upton.
There are no calling hours.
A celebration of life memorial service
at 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 22, 2005
at the Evangelical Congregational Church, 8 Church Street, Westborough
for friends and family.
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