Fun-loving Bridie had a positive attitude to life
Bridie Baker was born on the June, 10 1941 in Cronecribbon,Inch in Gorey and was one of seven children. Having lost her mother at the age of four she worked on the family farm with her father for many years until she met her late husband Pat Baker.
She then moved to ‘Bakers Cross’ where she cared for her mother-in-law, father-in-law and brother-in-law and also ran the well-known family shop until 1977. She had a great way with cusomers who came into the shop and often added in a few extra sweets for children.Bridie had three children, Catherine, Colette and Frank who were her pride and joy.
She used to get a great laugh out of the fact that she moved from Cronecribbon to Bakers Cross and her daughter Catherine moved from Bakers Cross to Cronecribbon.
When her beloved husband Pat passed away she decided to sell the house at Bakers Cross and move to Hazelwood with her son Frank. She had a beautiful home in Hazelwood and was well known for her amazing garden and her walks around Hazelwood with her dog Bruce. She would stop and talk to everyone and many people would say “if you needed to know anything ask Bridie”.
Bridies other love was her trips to play bingo with her friends Liza, Ronnie and Bernie. During the first lockdown the neighbours set up bingo on the green to keep her going. She also enjoyed her nights to the old folks club with her friend Ann, as well as the daily walks up the town to meet up for lunch with her friends. She would talk to them with great pride about her three wonderful grandchildren, Cáit, Eoin and Cáoimhe.
She was so proud of her only grandson Eoin for following in the footsteps of his granddad and doing carpentry and always told him that “you didn’t lick that skill off the ground.” She was so looking forward to seeing her first grandchild Cáit get married and going to pick out the style which she loved so dearly. Bridie was so proud of Cáit for making a brilliant life for herself.
Bridie shared a love for animals with her youngest grandchild Cáoimhe and always had a laugh about having donkeys and goats out in the back garden. She encouraged her to always give 100 per cent to everything, especially her upcoming Leaving Cert; she always told her “you’re going to go far in life”. Bridie loved all three grandchildren ever so dearly, they were her pride and joy and always kept her on her toes
Bridie’s health began to deteriorate in the last two years. She also took her ongoing hospital appointments in her stride and never complained. She would treat these days as a day out and would make sure to stop for a good dinner on the way home. She was a very strong lady and never wanted people to know she was sick. Bridie passed away peacefully in St.Vincent’s hospital on Friday, January 13. Her funeral was a reflection of how popular she was.
People queued for up to 40 minutes to say goodbye to her. Bridie’s funeral mass was a celebration of her life. Her eulogy recalled her positive attitude to life, her support for her family and her fun, loving personality. There was no stopping Bridie, if she was a cat she used up all nine lives fruitfully.
Bridie will be sadly missed by her beloved daughters Catherine and Colette, son Frank, son-in-law John, precious grandchildren Cáit, Eoin and Cáoimhe and extended family. Rest in peace Bridie, away from all your pain and suffering. Knowing you and Pat will be having a good time together again reassures us all.