Sheila Fraser Baker
Of Arlington Heights

Visitation for Sheila Fraser Baker will be at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Hts. Rd., Arlington Hts., from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, with a service at 4 p.m. Interment private.

Born on Jan. 1, 1934, in Evanston, IL, she passed away Oct. 4, 2010, in Barrington, IL, after a brief struggle with cancer. Sheila grew up in Crystal Lake and Bull Valley, spent the early years of her married life in Palatine, and lived in Arlington Heights from 1965 until the present.

All who knew Sheila treasured her quick intelligence, her sharp sense of humor, and her loyalty to and love of her family and friends. Before becoming a homemaker in the 60’s, Sheila worked in advertising and as “the only stewardess who never got off the ground” (she quit after one day because at the time stewardesses were not allowed to be married). In the 70’s, she frequently worked at Myers-Baker insurance brokerage with her husband, Dick. In 1987, she and her son, Rob, opened Drummer and Thumbs Bookstore in downtown Arlington Heights, which she helped run until 2002. She thoroughly enjoyed and was enjoyed by her customers and co-workers there, as well as numerous fellow downtown merchants, many of whom became lifelong friends.

Sheila was an accomplished actress, entertaining at Yellowstone National Park in her early years, then going on to star in many plays in Chicago and the suburbs, and, for the past fifteen years, working on many independent films. She was a dedicated animal and environmental activist. She also created a lovely backyard nature sanctuary where every plant was chosen to benefit her creatures. One vision of heaven she frequently mentioned over the years was to be there surrounded by her dogs, cats, birds, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, skunks, and the rest of her menagerie, domestic and wild. Always an enthusiastic traveler, her destinations were frequently chosen based on what wildlife would be there to be seen and loved.

Sheila is survived by her husband: Richard B. Baker; her sons: Richard F. and Robert M. Baker; her brother: Alex (Jane) Fraser; her nieces and nephews: Mary (John) Norman, Katherine Fraser, David (Kathy) Fraser, William S. (Rosemary) Baker; her dog, Harry; and many other beloved relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents: Angus and Katherine Fraser; her sisters: Elizabeth (Marvin) Schmidt, and Jean, Mary, and Ethel Fraser; and her infant brother, Angus.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Anti-Cruelty Society either online, https://payments.auctionpay.com/ver3/?id=w025322 , or by mail: 157 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60610


 

Glueckert Funeral Home