Carol Baker

October 19, 1946 - December 15, 2022

Carol Baker passed away on December 15, 2022 after 76 wonderful years on this earth. Carol’s love of life centered around her family, her husband, children, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. Carol’s California roots go back four generations, beginning in San Jose, where her paternal grandfather had an apricot farm and where her father, Ed Snively, grew up. During Carol’s early years she would often visit, and later work on the farm with her father which led to a lifelong love and devotion to gardening. Carol’s mother, Grace Matthews, was a nurse in San Jose and Carol continued her family’s medical tradition when she became a registered surgical dental assistant after graduating from San Jose City College in 1968 with an Associate in Arts Degree. Later, Carol would find her professional area of expertise as a certified oral surgical assistant.

Carol moved to Los Angeles in 1970 where she began working for the Veterans Administration, Wadsworth Medical Center, Dental Service. There she was instrumental in developing and guiding the periodontal residency program as it moved into a new VA Hospital.

In 1979, Carol and her husband Tom Baker, moved back to the Bay Area and settled in San Francisco. Together they started a periodontal practice located in 450 Sutter Medical-Dental building. Carol’s organizational and surgical-assisting skills were instrumental in the success of their periodontal practice where her husband Tom continues to work today.

The most profound and meaningful part of Carol’s life was becoming a mom and grandma - loving roles for Carol at which she excelled. Carol was greatly involved in her sons’ education as an always available, supportive, and effective parent volunteer. This allowed Carol to give her amazing organizational skills to her sons’ schools, while allowing her to be gently and supportively involved in her sons’ growth. Over the years, many of her sons’ friends would benefit from Carol’s warm, confident mothering skills, as the Baker house became a safe gathering place with an open door.

Carol’s absolute love of her two sons was easily shared with her daughtersin-law and four grandchildren. She was a knowledgeable, wise, and oh so loving grandma. Carol was always very proud that she and her first grandchild, Chloe, shared the same birthday. Carol would have the biggest smile when her granddaughter would ask her, “Grandma, what are we going to do for our birthday this year?”

Carol is survived by her husband Tom Baker, her son Christopher Baker, wife Nicki and their children Chloe and Will, and her son Zachery Baker, wife Laura and their children Wyatt and Emma.

Carol is also survived by her brother Rick Snively; her sister Joanne Stephenson, husband John and their children Jared Ring, Alyson Caskey, and Emily Horne and their families; and her sister Patty Nelson, husband Page and son Nathan Phillips and his family.

For Carol and her family, from a simple life of love, came great joy. Carol is lovingly and deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Carol’s name to Project Open Hand. A memorial is planned for January 15th, for more information, please contact chrisbaker083@ gmail.com