Obituary of Constance M. Baker

Dr. Constance "Connie" M. Baker, age 84, of Covington, PA, passed away on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital in Wellsboro, PA. She was born on June 29, 1937 in Blossburg, PA, the daughter of John and Dorothy (Mackowiak) Baker. Connie spent many years working as a nurse in Alaska, Denver and San Francisco, while continuing her education, culminating with her earning a Doctorate from the University of California San Francisco. She was a nursing professor at the University of Oklahoma for over 23 years, earning the David R. Boyd Professor Emeritus honor and retired as the Associate Dean of the College of Nursing. Retirement afforded her the opportunity to travel throughout the US and Europe, as experiencing new cultures brought her joy – and many great tee shirts for her collection. She was a member of Holy Child Catholic Church and belonged to the Ladies Guild and Holy Child Finance Council. She was a lifetime member of the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing and the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Connie is survived by her sister, Elizabeth Starks of Hallstead, PA; three nieces, Micki (Mike) Jones, Patricia (Terry) Wilcox, and Susan Starks; one nephew, Stephen Starks, several great nephews and special friends. She was preceded in death by her sister, Margaret Davies and her best friend, Beverly Freeman. Friends and family are invited to call on Thursday, December 30, 2021 from 9:30am-10:30am at Buckheit Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc. 637 S. Main St. Mansfield, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00am at Holy Child Catholic Church 242 S. Main St. Mansfield, PA. with Rev. Bryan Wright as celebrant. Burial will take place in St. Andrew's Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Mansfield Food Pantry PO Box 5 Mansfield, PA 16933. www.buckheitfcandcrematory.com