Obituary of Rebecca Ann Baker

CANISTEO - Rebecca Ann Baker, 58, native of the Canisteo Valley, passed away peacefully on December 17th, 2019. Born in Hornell, New York on March 9th of 1961, the daughter of Joseph and Doris (Stiles) Ordway. She had resided in the Canisteo Valley most of her life. She was a graduate of Canisteo Central School District, Class of 1979. She later pursued a career in Healthcare Administration where she worked many years at St. James Mercy Hospital in Management fighting every day to protect the mission statement. In the fall of 1978, she met Joseph Baker at the McDonald's in Hornell. On January 9th, 1982, the couple were married. For 41 years they worked on perfecting the rare art of true love. On November 12th, 1983, they welcomed their first child Patrick into this world in Vista California. Several years later on April 18th, 1986, Kaleigh was born in Hornell New York. Finally John followed 18 months later on October 12th, 1987, also in Hornell. Throughout the years, The synonymous duo that is Joe and Becky traveled the United States developing a pallet for spirits and culinary delicacies. Becky became 1/4th owner and operator of J&J BBQ in Canisteo NY, now sold and under new management. You can still taste her recipes there today. To great success, she spent her life dedicated to using her intelligence, humor and empathy to help those around her become better versions of themselves. Becky cultivated a way of living her life to the fullest whilst inspiring and enabling her progeny and lovesick husband to do the same. There is nothing like sitting in the sun, crabbing and reading and laughing and singing, without a care in the world. She is a magnificent amalgamation of all things beautiful. She was predeceased by her parents and Little Sister, Lisa (Ordway Ray). She is survived by her husband, Joseph Baker of Canisteo, NY; a daughter, Kaleigh Rose Baker of Florida; two sons, John Joseph Darwin Baker of New Mexico and Patrick John Mahoney Baker of Florida; four sisters, Joy (Dave) Towner, Sally (Steve) Weed, Patricia (Steve) Knapp, and Jennifer (John) Foy, all of Canisteo; three brothers, Jeffery (Kathy) Ordway of Canisteo, Michael (Sally) Ordway of Greenwood and Joel (Linda) Ordway of Canisteo; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.