Barbara Wash Baker of Fairfax, VA died peacefully on December 14, 2021 in Fairfax Hospital surrounded by family.
She was born on August 28, 1935 to Claude and Gladys Wash in Washington, DC. Barbara spent her formative years in Arlington graduating from Washington-Lee High School and George Washington University. While at George Washington she met the love of her life 2ndLT Owen Charles (OC) Baker, USMC. They were married on December 20, 1958 and would spend the next 59 years together.
From the beginning it was obvious Barbara was born to be a Marine wife as she embraced everything about the Corps. The epitome of a military spouse Barbara dedicated herself to supporting OC's career. She seamlessly integrated into whichever Marine organization they were assigned to and became a driving force for unit social events. Whether it was brunch, lunch, cocktails or dinner Barbara was always the perfect hostess. A gifted planner, organizer, and motivator her impact on an organization was critical to unit social cohesion and morale. Barbara did not limit herself exclusively to squadron and base activities but she immersed herself in volunteer opportunities in the local community. She had an immense impact on many aspects of the communities where they were stationed.
Through 29 years of active duty service she was the bedrock of her family as she raised their daughters and orchestrated moves from duty station to duty station. Hawaii, North Carolina, Pt. Mugu, Monterey, and the Pentagon were the major whistle stops during their career. Barbara also was a single parent during OC's overseas deployments which included a tour in Vietnam in 1968-1969.
After OC retired from the Marine Corps they settled in Fairfax, VA. Barbara and OC moved into a second chapter of their lives where they were able to pursue their many and varied common interests while also being able to indulge in some of their personal pursuits. Continuing long established relationships with the Class of 1957 from the Naval Academy they were regulars at tailgaters and class functions. Never relinquishing their ties to the Marine Corps they were also very active in various USMC organizations in the Northern VA area. A lifelong tennis player Barbara was able to pursue this passion after joining the Country Club of Fairfax. She also became an avid golfer and bridge player at the club. The CCF became a focal point of the social activities of Barbara and OC in their retirement and Barbara always voiced great admiration for the facilities and activities at the club. Continuing her lifelong commitment to volunteering she became a docent at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. She dedicated innumerable hours to study and research so she could give her guests the most interesting and informative tours.
Family was an essential part of Barbara's life.
She leaves two daughters, Claudia Schlagheck and Janet Smith, whose personal successes and amazing families are a testament to her positive influence on their lives. She inherited two son-in-laws, James and Patrick, who grew to love and respect their mother-in-law during the years married to her daughters. She also leaves behind four grandchildren. Joseph (SJ) and Aaron (Nicole) Schlagheck and Alli and Coriston Smith to carry on her legacy.
She was preceded in death by her husband, OC, and daughter, Ann.
She will be greatly missed by all her friends and family but we can find solace in the fact that she is now walking hand in hand with OC and Ann along the bluffs overlooking Monterey Bay.
Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a date yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the National Gallery of Art with the following note included "In Memory of Barbara Baker in support of the docent program". Donations can be made either online at https://www.nga.gov/support/donate-now.html or by check mailed to:
National Gallery of Art
Attention: DD-DEV Department
2000 South Club Drive
Landover, MD 20785
She was born on August 28, 1935 to Claude and Gladys Wash in Washington, DC. Barbara spent her formative years in Arlington graduating from Washington-Lee High School and George Washington University. While at George Washington she met the love of her life 2ndLT Owen Charles (OC) Baker, USMC. They were married on December 20, 1958 and would spend the next 59 years together.
From the beginning it was obvious Barbara was born to be a Marine wife as she embraced everything about the Corps. The epitome of a military spouse Barbara dedicated herself to supporting OC's career. She seamlessly integrated into whichever Marine organization they were assigned to and became a driving force for unit social events. Whether it was brunch, lunch, cocktails or dinner Barbara was always the perfect hostess. A gifted planner, organizer, and motivator her impact on an organization was critical to unit social cohesion and morale. Barbara did not limit herself exclusively to squadron and base activities but she immersed herself in volunteer opportunities in the local community. She had an immense impact on many aspects of the communities where they were stationed.
Through 29 years of active duty service she was the bedrock of her family as she raised their daughters and orchestrated moves from duty station to duty station. Hawaii, North Carolina, Pt. Mugu, Monterey, and the Pentagon were the major whistle stops during their career. Barbara also was a single parent during OC's overseas deployments which included a tour in Vietnam in 1968-1969.
After OC retired from the Marine Corps they settled in Fairfax, VA. Barbara and OC moved into a second chapter of their lives where they were able to pursue their many and varied common interests while also being able to indulge in some of their personal pursuits. Continuing long established relationships with the Class of 1957 from the Naval Academy they were regulars at tailgaters and class functions. Never relinquishing their ties to the Marine Corps they were also very active in various USMC organizations in the Northern VA area. A lifelong tennis player Barbara was able to pursue this passion after joining the Country Club of Fairfax. She also became an avid golfer and bridge player at the club. The CCF became a focal point of the social activities of Barbara and OC in their retirement and Barbara always voiced great admiration for the facilities and activities at the club. Continuing her lifelong commitment to volunteering she became a docent at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. She dedicated innumerable hours to study and research so she could give her guests the most interesting and informative tours.
Family was an essential part of Barbara's life.
She leaves two daughters, Claudia Schlagheck and Janet Smith, whose personal successes and amazing families are a testament to her positive influence on their lives. She inherited two son-in-laws, James and Patrick, who grew to love and respect their mother-in-law during the years married to her daughters. She also leaves behind four grandchildren. Joseph (SJ) and Aaron (Nicole) Schlagheck and Alli and Coriston Smith to carry on her legacy.
She was preceded in death by her husband, OC, and daughter, Ann.
She will be greatly missed by all her friends and family but we can find solace in the fact that she is now walking hand in hand with OC and Ann along the bluffs overlooking Monterey Bay.
Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a date yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the National Gallery of Art with the following note included "In Memory of Barbara Baker in support of the docent program". Donations can be made either online at https://www.nga.gov/support/donate-now.html or by check mailed to:
National Gallery of Art
Attention: DD-DEV Department
2000 South Club Drive
Landover, MD 20785
Barbara Wash Baker of Fairfax, VA died peacefully on December 14, 2021 in Fairfax Hospital surrounded by family.
She was born on August 28, 1935 to Claude and Gladys Wash in Washington, DC. Barbara spent her formative years in Arlington graduating from Washington-Lee High School and George Washington University. While at George Washington she met the love of her life 2ndLT Owen Charles (OC) Baker, USMC. They were married on December 20, 1958 and would spend the next 59 years together.
From the beginning it was obvious Barbara was born to be a Marine wife as she embraced everything about the Corps. The epitome of a military spouse Barbara dedicated herself to supporting OC's career. She seamlessly integrated into whichever Marine organization they were assigned to and became a driving force for unit social events. Whether it was brunch, lunch, cocktails or dinner Barbara was always the perfect hostess. A gifted planner, organizer, and motivator her impact on an organization was critical to unit social cohesion and morale. Barbara did not limit herself exclusively to squadron and base activities but she immersed herself in volunteer opportunities in the local community. She had an immense impact on many aspects of the communities where they were stationed.
Through 29 years of active duty service she was the bedrock of her family as she raised their daughters and orchestrated moves from duty station to duty station. Hawaii, North Carolina, Pt. Mugu, Monterey, and the Pentagon were the major whistle stops during their career. Barbara also was a single parent during OC's overseas deployments which included a tour in Vietnam in 1968-1969.
After OC retired from the Marine Corps they settled in Fairfax, VA. Barbara and OC moved into a second chapter of their lives where they were able to pursue their many and varied common interests while also being able to indulge in some of their personal pursuits. Continuing long established relationships with the Class of 1957 from the Naval Academy they were regulars at tailgaters and class functions. Never relinquishing their ties to the Marine Corps they were also very active in various USMC organizations in the Northern VA area. A lifelong tennis player Barbara was able to pursue this passion after joining the Country Club of Fairfax. She also became an avid golfer and bridge player at the club. The CCF became a focal point of the social activities of Barbara and OC in their retirement and Barbara always voiced great admiration for the facilities and activities at the club. Continuing her lifelong commitment to volunteering she became a docent at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. She dedicated innumerable hours to study and research so she could give her guests the most interesting and informative tours.
Family was an essential part of Barbara's life.
She leaves two daughters, Claudia Schlagheck and Janet Smith, whose personal successes and amazing families are a testament to her positive influence on their lives. She inherited two son-in-laws, James and Patrick, who grew to love and respect their mother-in-law during the years married to her daughters. She also leaves behind four grandchildren. Joseph (SJ) and Aaron (Nicole) Schlagheck and Alli and Coriston Smith to carry on her legacy.
She was preceded in death by her husband, OC, and daughter, Ann.
She will be greatly missed by all her friends and family but we can find solace in the fact that she is now walking hand in hand with OC and Ann along the bluffs overlooking Monterey Bay.
Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a date yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the National Gallery of Art with the following note included "In Memory of Barbara Baker in support of the docent program". Donations can be made either online at https://www.nga.gov/support/donate-now.html or by check mailed to:
National Gallery of Art
Attention: DD-DEV Department
2000 South Club Drive
Landover, MD 20785
She was born on August 28, 1935 to Claude and Gladys Wash in Washington, DC. Barbara spent her formative years in Arlington graduating from Washington-Lee High School and George Washington University. While at George Washington she met the love of her life 2ndLT Owen Charles (OC) Baker, USMC. They were married on December 20, 1958 and would spend the next 59 years together.
From the beginning it was obvious Barbara was born to be a Marine wife as she embraced everything about the Corps. The epitome of a military spouse Barbara dedicated herself to supporting OC's career. She seamlessly integrated into whichever Marine organization they were assigned to and became a driving force for unit social events. Whether it was brunch, lunch, cocktails or dinner Barbara was always the perfect hostess. A gifted planner, organizer, and motivator her impact on an organization was critical to unit social cohesion and morale. Barbara did not limit herself exclusively to squadron and base activities but she immersed herself in volunteer opportunities in the local community. She had an immense impact on many aspects of the communities where they were stationed.
Through 29 years of active duty service she was the bedrock of her family as she raised their daughters and orchestrated moves from duty station to duty station. Hawaii, North Carolina, Pt. Mugu, Monterey, and the Pentagon were the major whistle stops during their career. Barbara also was a single parent during OC's overseas deployments which included a tour in Vietnam in 1968-1969.
After OC retired from the Marine Corps they settled in Fairfax, VA. Barbara and OC moved into a second chapter of their lives where they were able to pursue their many and varied common interests while also being able to indulge in some of their personal pursuits. Continuing long established relationships with the Class of 1957 from the Naval Academy they were regulars at tailgaters and class functions. Never relinquishing their ties to the Marine Corps they were also very active in various USMC organizations in the Northern VA area. A lifelong tennis player Barbara was able to pursue this passion after joining the Country Club of Fairfax. She also became an avid golfer and bridge player at the club. The CCF became a focal point of the social activities of Barbara and OC in their retirement and Barbara always voiced great admiration for the facilities and activities at the club. Continuing her lifelong commitment to volunteering she became a docent at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. She dedicated innumerable hours to study and research so she could give her guests the most interesting and informative tours.
Family was an essential part of Barbara's life.
She leaves two daughters, Claudia Schlagheck and Janet Smith, whose personal successes and amazing families are a testament to her positive influence on their lives. She inherited two son-in-laws, James and Patrick, who grew to love and respect their mother-in-law during the years married to her daughters. She also leaves behind four grandchildren. Joseph (SJ) and Aaron (Nicole) Schlagheck and Alli and Coriston Smith to carry on her legacy.
She was preceded in death by her husband, OC, and daughter, Ann.
She will be greatly missed by all her friends and family but we can find solace in the fact that she is now walking hand in hand with OC and Ann along the bluffs overlooking Monterey Bay.
Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a date yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the National Gallery of Art with the following note included "In Memory of Barbara Baker in support of the docent program". Donations can be made either online at https://www.nga.gov/support/donate-now.html or by check mailed to:
National Gallery of Art
Attention: DD-DEV Department
2000 South Club Drive
Landover, MD 20785
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