Heaven has gained another angel. Barbara “Babs” Baker Rainwater, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend ascended to Heaven on November 22, 2023.

She was born August 28, 1947 in Hamilton, Ontario Canada. Her parents John and Violet Baker named their tiny little angel Barbara Ann Baker but everyone else knew her as “Babs” or “Barb”

When she was born, her big sister Lillian was immediately a second mom and caretaker. Her big brother Albert was mad because he wanted a baby brother. 18 months later, her best friend and baby sister Linda was born. Poor Albert was once again deprived of that baby brother he wanted.

The Baker children had a rough start to their young lives with the death of their mother when Barbara was just 4 years old. However, they were surrounded by a loving village of family who helped make Barbara the woman she was. She grew up with few material things, but with enough love to compensate.

She loved her brother and sisters with all of her heart and enjoyed being an aunt and great aunt to their children and grandchildren.

Barbara married young, at the age of 18 and had her first daughter, April at the age of 19. 2 ½ years later, her youngest daughter Dawn was born. These girls were the light of her life and her constant source of Pride. She taught her children love, empathy, kindness and acceptance. There was no one who was not welcome in her life. Regardless of age, race, religion and orientation, she treated all people with kindness and respect and inspired the same in her daughters. She also imparted on her girls an outstanding work ethic, a sense of humor and the power to stand up for what is right.

After years of raising children and working to help put her husband through college, Barbara went back to college and earned both an Associate’s Degree and a Bachelor’s Degree. This was a source of pride for both her girls and especially for herself.

With her degrees, she enjoyed a long career in Human Resources where she was universally loved by the employees she served. After many years with both Motorola and General Dynamics, she retired to her favorite new career of being a full time grandma.

To say that Barbara truly loved her family and was equally loved by her family is an understatement.

When Dawn met her match and married Gregg Galvez, she finally got the son she never had. She loved referring to Gregg as “her favorite son in law” and she loved that his calling as a firefighter gave her a reason to visit all of the other firefighters too!

When it came time to be a grandmother, Barbara relished in that role. She built a special relationship with each of her 5 grandchildren, Justin, Jessica, Ana, Luis and Jaden and she loved and appreciated every one of them for their beautiful, unique souls.

She was elated when her first grandchild, Justin, found his soulmate and life partner, Amanda, and was married in November 2021, and then beside herself with joy when they gave her a great grandson in January 2022.

She was thrilled when Jessica found her soulmate, Cliff, and they began their journey together.

When she gained 3 more grandchildren, Ana, Luis and Jaden, in rapid succession, she doted on each of them and helped them grow to their teenaged years knowing the intense love and acceptance of a grandmother who understood each of their personalities and special needs.

Outside of her immediate family, Barbara had a group of fiercely loyal friends who knew and loved her, especially for her sometimes sassy wit.

They say the true mark of a person is their impact on the people they have touched while they were here. Barbara left an impact on this earth greater than any meteor from space ever could.

All who knew her feel her loss deeply and will miss her immensely.

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