On November 12, 2023, surrounded by loved ones, Mary Sue Baker, age 76 of Excelsior Springs, MO, passed away.  On September 10, 1947, Mary was born to Carol (Gilliland) Lamb and Russell Lamb in her parents’ farmhouse in Ludlow, MO.  Throughout her youth, 

she enjoyed participating in 4-H and later in life she would become a 4-H leader.  After graduating from Southwest High School in 1967, Mary went on to get her degree in Social Work.  On June 17, 1967, Mary married the love of her life, Kenny Baker of Braymer, MO, and they lovingly shared 56 years of marriage. Retiring in 2011, Mary proudly worked as a social worker at North Kansas City Hospital for over 31 years and spent countless hours advocating for her patients.  In the summer, she enjoyed spending time outside gardening, playing with her dogs, and canning tomatoes.  Cherished family memories were made when she, Kenny, and their daughter Rebecca (“Becky”), born in 1977, took yearly summer vacations and visited with loved ones.  Outgoing and friendly, her witty and unique sense of humor brightened the spirits of everyone she met.  In lieu of flowers, Mary had requested that donations be made to organizations which meant so much to her.  Mary always delighted in learning about the world around us so watching PBS (https://www.kansascitypbs.org/funding-drive/) and listening to NPR (https://www.kcur.org/donate-to-kcur-89-3-and-91-9-classical-kc) were two of her favorite pastimes. As a social worker, Mary was impressed by the services offered by Cancer Action (https://www.canceractionkc.org/how-to-help) as her empathy for other people was simply immeasurable.  Mary’s memory will forever live in the hearts of her husband Kenny Baker of Excelsior Springs, MO, her daughter Rebecca Baker and son-in-law Pete Carruthers of Kansas City, MO, and her sister Sharron Stedem and brother-in-law Charles Stedem of Chillicothe, MO, On numerous occasions, Mary said how blessed she felt to have the love and support of so many nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law, friends, fellow co-workers, and many other people she loved. A visitation will be held Tuesday November 28, 2023, at Unity of Kansas City North in Kansas CIty, MO, from 5:30-7:30pm.  A Celebration of Life service will be on Saturday December 2, 2023, at Lindley Funeral Home in Chillicothe, MO.