Betty Mae Baker

     Betty Mae Susen Baker began her journey on July 20, 1929 in Paterson, NJ born to Andrew and Lovedy Susen. She was the big sister to Russell, Richard, Andrew, Dorothy, Robert, and Tommy. Betty would marry Owen Baker and have four children, Candice, Ruth Ann, Kent, and is survived by Dennis Baker. Betty is also survived by 9 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews

Betty and her family moved to their farm in Washingtonville, NY and in 1959 to Cochecton, NY. Betty was the backbone of Friendly Acres tending to milk cows morning and night, shoveling manure, driving tractors, loading and unloading hay and in her spare time being a wife, and a mother to four children, their education, well-being, teaching them life lessons.

      Betty would become Sullivan County’s one and only “Cowgirl” who knew how to raise and nurse countless animals and people, impacting so many lives in a purely positive way. She sponsored agricultural scholarships for young people who demonstrated excellence and hard work. It will be improbable that we will ever see another lady farmer with the work ethic and love for her farm and family. Betty’s legacy is her reputation as a loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, mother-in-law and friend to the countless who loved her unconditionally. They don’t come any finer than this woman. This is a lady who shaped so many lives. At the age of 80 Betty had a book written about her life and autographed copies for her family and friends. On her 80th birthday she rode on a Harley Davidson with her nephew. And on her 84th birthday she flew co-pilot with Judge Bob Meyers so that she could see her farm from a bird’s eye view and all those things below that enjoyed every day. Amazing does not describe her passionate and wonderful life. Betty passed in her sleep on May 7th.

     Betty penned her own words on how she wanted to be remembered -

“I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways

of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days

I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun of happy memories

that I leave when life is done.” Betty Baker

      There will be a life celebration at the Friendly Acres Farm in Cochecton this summer. Time and date to be announced. Please celebrate everything that she stood for and hold her in your hearts, Let’s share all the love that she has given others in her 91 years of life. Hug a cow in lieu of flowers. Mom, we will miss you until the cows come home and then some.

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