Margaret Baker's Obituary
Margaret Baker, 86, of Grand Haven, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, April 6, 2026. She was born on September 7, 1939, in St. Louis, Michigan, to Bernard and Emma (Franz) McBride. Margaret married Garland Allen Baker on January 13, 1962. Garland preceded her in death on September 16, 1988.
Margaret graduated from St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing in Saginaw, Michigan, as a Registered Nurse. At age 49, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ferris State College. Margaret worked in nearly every capacity as a nurse for Mercy Hospital in Muskegon (now Trinity Health Hospital Muskegon). She retired in 2001, but continued working PRN as a Home Health Care Nurse until age 71. Margaret was so proud to be a nurse, and enjoyed educating her patients and helping them heal. For the last seven months of her life, Margaret was a Hospice patient and got to see nursing from the perspective of a patient. She enjoyed each and every nurse and the social worker she met through Hospice, and she and her family were and are grateful for their expertise and support.
Margaret was a bit of an introvert, but also never met a stranger while out and about. Trips to Meijer were never short!
She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church where she served on the funeral luncheon committee, volunteered in the food pantry, and was a eucharistic minister. Margaret also volunteered at Cheapstacks Used Books, the bookstore at the Grand Haven Public Library.
Margaret was extremely proud of and took great pleasure from her three children and their spouses, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren. She enjoyed reading, sewing, knitting, cooking, traveling, and volunteering.
She is lovingly remembered by her children, Michael (Mary Lynn) Baker, Edward (Lisa) Baker, and Suzanne (Matthew) Baker Hite; eleven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren (and three more on the way); her sister, Jane Brown; and two brothers, Don (Pamela) McBride, and Joseph McBride. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Walter and Albert McBride. She also leaves behind a dear, lifelong friend, Nancy Bylsma.
A mass and private graveside service will be held at the Spring Lake Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to her dear husband, Garland. No flowers, please. Memorials in Margaret’s name may be sent to the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Food Pantry in Spring Lake or Trinity at Home Hospice of Grand Haven.
Arrangements are entrusted to The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 213 E. Savidge St., Spring Lake, MI 49456. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at https://www.sytsemafh.com .
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