Emma 'Jean' Baker, 77

HARTLY - Emma "Jean" Baker, formerly of Hartly, was called home to be with the Lord July 21, 2009. She had a peaceful and comfortable passing made possible by our Delaware Hospice Center in Milford. She was 77. Ms. Baker was born in Camp Creek, W.Va., the second child of Burt and Leola Wood on Jan. 7, 1932. She and her family settled on the eastern shore of Maryland in 1965 and later moved to Delaware. She was the Mother of 7 children. Ms. Baker opened Marydel Restaurant in Marydel, Md., including pinball machines and a pool table to give the boys and girls a safe place to go in hopes of keeping them off of the streets. She became a member of the "Women of the Moose" Chapter 1546 in 1997 and enjoyed all of the activities she was involved in while she was physically able to do so. She also enjoyed the activities at the Mamie Warren Center. In addition to her parents, Ms. Baker was preceded in death by two sons, Richard Glen Kirby and Timothy Brent Kirby; a sister, Mary Dowell; and a brother, Sherman Wade McBride. Ms. Baker is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Samuel Kirby and Trish Grygo-Kirby; her son, Terry Kirby; her daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and Kenneth Thorpe; her son Michael Kirby; and her son, John Kirby and his companion Fran Calloway. She is also survived by her sisters, Betty C. Dearing of Beckley, W.Va., Judith A. Jones, and Brenda McBride, both of Cleveland, Ohio; and two brothers, Bobby McBride and Daniel McBride, both of Coal City, W.Va.; 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Friends and family may visit from 7-9 p.m. this evening (Thursday) at Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate any donations possible to be made to the Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way Milford, DE 19963. They truly are committed to the quality of comfort and care for patient and family. Letters of condolences can be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.