Laura (Troy) Baker

Laura (Troy) Baker, age 96, of South Centre Township, Bloomsburg, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday evening April 14, 2025. Laura lived her entire life in the area that she loved most dearly. Having recently celebrated her 96th birthday, Laura peacefully entered Heaven’s gates surrounded by the love of her family and close friends.

Born in South Centre Township on April 1, 1929, she was a daughter of the late Samuel W. Troy and Hazel (Shannon) Troy Snyder, and her husband William Snyder. Laura attended Scott School and went on to complete her high school studies at Lincoln College Preparatory School in Philadelphia. She was a member of the local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter as well as the Women’s Civic Club. Though she enjoyed traveling at one time, her heart and home was always in this beautiful part of Pennsylvania where she was raised, and she loved nothing more than sitting on her front porch, enjoying the warm sun and going for walks.

Laura was married to Robert J. Baker, who passed unexpectedly on October 1, 1962. After his passing, and at a time when women tended to their homes, Laura took over where her husband left off and became an admired businesswoman. She owned and operated the Baker Stone Co. for eight years before continuing her career in property management and remaining very active in managing several rental properties in Bloomsburg until her passing. With the help of her son and granddaughter, she continued making decisions and communicating with tenants and also spent much of her time with and caring for her great-grandsons. Laura deeply loved her family and felt most connected to those who were always there for her, especially in her later years.

Laura was the last of her full siblings and would lovingly reflect on each of them with stories from their childhood: Loretta Martz, Ora Troy, Edith Allen, Sarah Cragle, Harold Troy, S. Thomas Troy, Fay Troy and William Troy, who was tragically killed in World War II.

She is survived by her two children, Frank C. Baker, and his wife Kathleen, of Bloomsburg and Mary, wife of Edward Rosenberg, of Bloomsburg; three grandchildren: Robert Baker, and his wife Vanessa, of Bloomsburg, Joseph Baker, and his wife Leyla, of Montclair, New Jersey, and Victoria, wife of Michael Parker, of Bloomsburg; and a half-brother, Steve Troy, of Stillwater.

Her family would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to the angels that truly became part of the family and helped make each day a blessing: Shelly, Liz, Kay, Randi, Heather, Lori, Mary Jane, Katie and Eileen. Thank you all for sharing your compassion and talents with us over the last few years. Also thank you to the staff at Compassus Hospice, especially Paula and Pastor Bob.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday April 19, 2025 at 11 a.m. in the Dean W. Kriner Inc. Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market St., Bloomsburg, with Eileen M. Chapman, officiating. Interment will follow in New Rosemont Cemetery, Espy. Viewing will be held on Friday from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday from 10-11 a.m.