Obituary of Gloria Alice Baird

Gloria Alice Baird August 28, 1926 - March 29, 2013 Resident of Aptos Gloria Alice Baird, 86, of Aptos, California, passed away on March 29, 2013 with her children by her side. Gloria was born in Easton, Pennsylvania on August 28, 1926 to Charles and Rose Skintauy. She went to high school and college in Pennsylvania and moved to California in 1948 and together with her siblings started and owned a restaurant. It was during this time she met and married the love of her life Richard Henry Baird. Together they went on to raise a family in Santa Cruz and remained together and deeply in love for over 55 years until his passing in December of 2005. Gloria loved to bake cakes and what started off as a hobby soon became a passion for helping others celebrate special occasions. She was often asked if she would make a wedding cake, birthday cake or anniversary cake. Most recently while in the hospital close friends shared their fond memories about the cakes that Gloria had created. While living in Santa Cruz she was a member of University Baptist Church and more recently for the last several years attended Twin Lakes Church. As her children were growing up Gloria was both a Cub Scout Leader and Brownie Troop Leader. She was always involved in her children's extra activities in some capacity. During her later years, Gloria enjoyed reading, cooking for the church and doing word games. She constantly loved to learn and at the young age of 85 earned her undergraduate certificate in Biblical studies from Liberty University. Gloria's greatest enjoyment however was just spending time with her family and making those who visited instantly feel at home by her genuine care, love and fun sense of humor. Gloria is preceded in death by her husband Richard Henry, their son Richard Alan, their daughter Beverly Christine, two sisters Mary and Linda, one brother George and her parents Charles and Rose. Gloria is survived by her sister Gladys Urban of League City, Texas; brother William Skintauy of Las Vegas, Nevada; sons Bruce Baird (daughter-in-law Marsha Baird), Dale Baird; daughter Diane Sanny (son-in-law Bryan Sanny), daughter-in-law Paige Baird and son-in-law Bob Hord. Gloria is also survived by eleven grandchildren Ryan, Christy, Gina, Erica, Alison, Elisa, Kristen, Katie, Julia, Ian and Nathen; and six great-grandchildren Malachi, Ezra, Gavin, Hannah, Jacob and Kyle. A Celebration of Gloria's life will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 11:00am at High Street Community Church with Ron Demolar officiating. A reception will immediately follow the service and we hope that those attending will stay after to share in this celebration. A private family interment will take place at Santa Cruz Memorial. The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the Aptos Firemen/Paramedic team at Rio Del Mar Station #2, her Cardiologist Dr. Neil Sawhney and to the caring staff at Dominican Hospital and more recently at Pacific Coast Manor while Gloria was in rehabilitation.