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In Memory of Martha Ann Baker of Bellflower, California

Martha Ann Baker ended her long, courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease at her home in Bellflower, California, on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, just twelve days shy of her 88th birthday.

Martha was born on November 27, 1923, in San Pedro, California to Angelina and Michael Familathe. She was the youngest of seven siblings; she is predeceased by her sister, Mary Bateman, and her brothers, Rocky, Tony, Phillip, Thomas, and Michael. Martha graduated from San Pedro High School in 1942; she especially valued education because she was the only one of her siblings to graduate from high school. She participated in her high school reunion committee for several years. Martha met her husband, Ike, in 1942, while he was stationed in the Navy in San Pedro. She was employed through the early 1940's until 1950 at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro at the Army induction center and later as a telephone switchboard operator. Ike and Martha were married on August 28, 1948 in Belmont Shore, California,

Martha enjoyed sewing and gardening. For several years, she took sewing classes with a small group of ladies at a Bellflower home. She enjoyed experimenting with all types of flowers, succulents and cacti; she created a special corner in her backyard with beautiful flowers where the neighborhood kids would often take pictures before special dances; it was nicknamed "Maui Corner." She also enjoyed taking Adult School classes such as home decorative arts, tailoring, bookkeeping, and Italian.

As a child during the Great Depression, many times her family did not have enough to eat. Martha would go to the grocery store and ask for a nickel's worth of fresh vegetables; she would tell the butcher that she would like to have the soup bone for the dog, but it wasn't really for the dog. In later years, she loved to shop, but she seldom bought things for herself.

Martha was a devoted wife and mother. Her grandchildren were the joys of her life. She was warmhearted, generous, and always the neighbor you trusted with your house key. She befriended many neighbors over the years and often enjoyed long conversations on "the bench." She has often been described as a person who was ALWAYS nice which is often hard to find.

Martha is survived by her husband of 63 years, Ike; daughters, Lynette Jensen and Cheryl Doty; son-in-law, Scott Doty, and her grandchildren, Jason Doty, Allen Doty, Bryan Jensen and Kiersten Jensen. Private graveside services were held on Friday, November 18, 2011, at Green Hills Memorial Park, Rancho Palos Verdes, California. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.