Obituary of Dorothy M. Baker

Dorothy Major Baker, age 99, of Lehman, passed away on February 18, 2016, at Mercy Center in Dallas following a brief illness. Born September 7, 1916, she was a life resident of Lehman, and the daughter of Arthur M. and Marian Young Major. Dorothy was a graduate of Lehman High School and Wilkes-Barre Business College. In her early professional career, she held positions with Household Finance, J.B. Carr Biscuit Co. and the Lynn-Fieldhouse Agency. She established Major Advertising and served as the in-house firm for Wyoming National Bank, responsible for all public relations, publications and special events. Upon her retirement, Dorothy utilized her creative talents to open The Barn, a country store and mail order catalog business that featured custom woven, hand-loomed rag rugs and accessories. Her products were featured in Country Living and shipped to decorators, stores and customers in the US, Europe, Canada and Bermuda. The shop was housed in the Major family dairy barn and was known for antiques, pottery, hand-made woolens, and beautiful crafts. Dorothy was the oldest member of the Lehman-Idetown United Methodist Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher and active member of its Friendship Class. She was an inaugural member of the Masters Leadership Wilkes-Barre program and received a Pathfinder Award from the Luzerne County Commission for Women. A dedicated community leader, Dorothy was named as the first manager of the Luzerne County Tourism Bureau and she served as General Chair of the Cherry Blossom Time Committee. She was instrumental in organizing the nationally-recognized Lehman Horse Show and worked with a group of Dallas Rotarians to establish the Dallas Area Fall Fair and Fashion Show, which is now known as the Luzerne County Fair. Dorothy was an avid outdoorswoman, enjoying hunting, skiing, skating and horseback riding. She also liked painting, poetry writing, crossword puzzles and the Cryptoquip. Her vast talents and creative spirit demonstrated she was a woman well ahead of her time. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Alan, Bryce and William Major, infant granddaughter, Alison Baker, and niece, Christine Major Surviving are her son, Gary S. Baker, Lehman, daughter-in-law, state Senator Lisa Jones Baker, and grandson, Carson W. Baker. She will also be missed by special niece and travel companion Beverly Major Schwartz, Centerville, MA, and nephews Thomas B. Major and Arthur Major, Lehman, and Stephen B. Major, Carlisle. She also leaves behind special friends of many years Judy and Chris Dawe, and numerous great nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staffs of Erwine Home Health and Mercy Center for their care and compassion. A memorial service officiated by Pastor Lori Robinson will be held on Sunday, February 21, 2016, at 3 p.m. at the Lehman-Idetown United Methodist Church. Friends may call from 2 p.m. until the time of the service. Donations in her memory may be directed to the Lehman-Idetown United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1, Lehman, PA 18627 or to Back Mountain Recreation, P.O. Box 244, Lehman, PA 18627. Arrangements by the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek.