Lorrie Lee Baker

Lorrie Baker was a deeply kind and compassionate person. Perhaps the word that paints the most vivid picture of her, however, is selfless. Genuine and personable, she was quick to share her winning smile as well as her love for the great outdoors and rollercoasters. She was always looking for ways to encourage others and support the community she loved. There simply wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for anyone in need. Deeply loved, Lorrie will be forever missed by her many special friends and close family.

Lorrie’s story began in the year 1959 which brought about many significant changes to our nation. Alaska and Hawaii joined the Union as our 49th and 50th States, the Boeing 707 Jet Airliner came into service, and Barbie Dolls made their debut! Popular movies of that same year included Some Like it Hot and Ben Hur, while televisions were airing the classics, Bonanza and The Twilight Zone. The fifties era continued its climb of rock n’ roll artists with the Beatles and the King himself, Elvis Presley. During this exciting time, James Eugene and Teresa Cleo (Reynolds) Donnell were pleased to announce the arrival of their baby girl, Lorrie Lee on January 30, 1959, in Hicksville, Ohio. Her birth brought her parents great joy and happiness.

Raised in Antwerp, Ohio by a hardworking truck mechanic as a father and a homemaker as a mother, Lorrie lived a typical childhood of the times. As a young child, she loved to play with dolls, take care of her two baby brothers, and visit her grandparents. Close knit as a family, they enjoyed trips to the Great Smoky Mountains, Mackinac Island, and her Aunt Judy’s in Minnesota. Despite her displeasure, they also took in many games of the Cincinnati Big Reds. Easy going and content during her growing years, Lorrie enjoyed playing the clarinet and proudly graduated with the Class of 1977 from Antwerp High School.

Although her marriage to Dan Baker ended in divorce, they shared great times & raised Lorrie's beautiful daughter, Kelli together. Dan & Lorrie never gave up on their relationship. They have been together again since the mid 90’s. He has cared for her through thick and thin, making sure she got to medical appointments as far as Cleveland throughout her illness. Lorrie held many special interests over the years, but Kelli was the apple of her eye. She enjoyed their special relationship and was known to brag about the memories they shared. Above all else, Lorrie savored her role as a mother. She wanted nothing but the best for both Kelli and her husband, Patrick.

Anyone that knew Lorrie also understood that she held a deep passion for the outdoors. She loved camping, enjoying the lake, as well as hunting and eating mushrooms! In addition to her fondness for nature, she also looked forward to riding roller coasters. No coaster stood a chance to her fearlessness. Lorrie was known to tackle even the best of them! To survive the cold Midwest winters, she loved to read non-fiction, watch crime shows, especially ones about real situations and people. She also loved television shows about the medical field as well as reality shows. When she was in the right mood, a sappy Lifetime or Hallmark movie would win her over!

Described as a beautiful person with an adventurous spirit, Lorrie was also thoughtful of others. Her generosity was recently revealed to her family when they found a personal note of appreciation that she had forgotten to send to her mail person over the holiday season. This small token of evidence is only one example of the true testament of her character. To know Lorrie was to be touched by a loving friend. Her special way of making each and every person she met feel valued and special will be fondly remembered as her greatest legacy. Sadly, she passed away and there is no doubt that Lorrie will be deeply missed by her special friends and loved ones.

Lorrie Lee Baker, 59 of Antwerp, Ohio passed away Monday, February 26th, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. She will be sadly missed by her daughter, Kelli (Patrick) Sidey of Fort Wayne; father, Jim Donnell of Antwerp; brothers, Greg Donnell of Fort Wayne and Scott Donnell of Paulding; longtime companion, Dan Baker of Antwerp; her dog, Casey, and granddog, Willow. She was preceded in death by her mother, Theresa Cleo (Reynolds) Donnell in 2006. Lorrie's family will receive friends on Friday, March 2nd, 5 - 8 pm at Dooley Funeral Home, 202 W. River Street, Antwerp, Ohio to share stories and fond memories. She will be laid to rest privately at Maumee Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dooley Funeral Home, PO Box 452, Antwerp, Ohio 45813. Special memories may be shared at www.dooleyfuneralhome.com

Lorrie Lee Baker, 59 of Antwerp, Ohio passed away Monday, February 26, 2018 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.

Lorrie was born in Hicksville, Ohio on January 30, 1959, a daughter of James Eugene Donnell and the late Teresa Cleo (Reynolds) Donnell.

She was a 1977 graduate of Antwerp High School. Lorrie was quick to share a smile and to share her interest of the outdoors and roller coasters. 

She will be sadly missed by her daughter, Kelli (Patrick) Sidey of Fort Wayne; father, Jim Donnell of Antwerp; brothers, Greg Donnell of Fort Wayne & Scott Donnell of Paulding; her long time companion, Dan Baker; her dog, Casey & grand dog, Willow

Lorrie's family will receive friends on Friday, March 2, 2018 from 5 to 8 pm at Dooley Funeral Home, 202 W. River Street, Antwerp, Ohio to share stories and fond memories.

She will be laid to rest privately at Maumee Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dooley Funeral Home, PO Box 452, Antwerp, Ohio 45813.

Fond memories may be shared at www.dooleyfuneralhome.com