Zahra Baker was born to Emily Dietrich and Adam Baker who both lived in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia. Emily Dietrich, who had postpartum depression after Zahra's birth, gave up custody to Adam. Adam took Zahra and moved with his parents to Giru, Queensland Australia in 2004.
Zahra, who was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2005, later suffered a bout of lung cancer having part of her lung removed. As a result,of the bone cancer and treatment she had the lower part of one leg amputated and cancer treatment also affected her hearing and she had to wear hearing aids.
Zahra's cancer went into remission in 2008, shortly after this she and moved to North Carolina, United States from Australia with her father and new stepmother, Elisa Fairchild. Finally settling in Hickory NC.
Originally she was buried in Hickory, but when her father was deported back to Australia he organised for Zahra's body to be cremated and the ashes sent back to Australia.
Hickory Residents organised a Memorial Zahra Baker All Children's Playground that has equipment for children of all ages and with disabilities. The official opening of the playground was 19th May 2012.
Notice: This memorial is being managed in abeyance until a proper manager requests control of the memorial. As a general rule, immediate family members, grandparents, and other close family members can request and will be transferred management of the memorial.
Gravesite Details
The permanent memorial consists of a covered concrete pad with photos of Zahra along with dozens of stuffed animals and other memorabilia left by residents.
