About Janet Baker
February 4, 2021
Janet was born in 1940 in
Luton, England, the eldest of two sisters.
As a child she recalls the rationing during the war and long after, which left her with a lifelong appreciation of food and saving and reusing anything she could.
As a young adult looking for opportunities she became a secretary with the British Embassy. She was stationed in a couple of countries, most memorable being Russia, where she would work in a soundproof room to avoid anyone overhearing sensitive information. After that, looking for a change, preferably in a warmer country, she chose to be transferred to Mexico. Arriving in Veracruz on a cargo ship and making her way inland to Mexico City.
Mexico, as fate would have it, would be her final destination as she met her future husband, Ray Baker, at an Embassy party. A match made in heaven because "she cooked" and "he had a car". One of the highlights of their wedding was making a traditional English wedding fruitcake in a bathtub.
The young couple settled into married life and soon had three children to keep them busy. Simon is the eldest, followed by Carolyn and last, but not least, there is Christina.
The next phase of her life included founding the Lancaster School together with a group of determined parents. The school started with a handful of students and there were often fundraisers where Janet's baking became legendary and much sought after. Friends quickly learnt that they could come over to our house and head straight to the kitchen in search of the cookie bin.
Everyone who came over was warmly welcomed and they knew that there was always a place for them at her home, along with some amazing home cooked meals. Many of the “comidas” hosted there are fondly remembered by numerous friends.
Janet was not the life of the party, but she was the glue that held it together, attending to all the details and making sure everyone was well looked after. Probably why she and her husband made a good match.
She much enjoyed painting, a good read or television documentary. But she would happily trade them in for a good game of bridge and gossip with her friends any day.
Janet will be dearly missed by many, but especially so by her sister Meryl, her 3 children (well 6 as she took all the spouses to heart) and 11 - yes 11, grandchildren.
As a child she recalls the rationing during the war and long after, which left her with a lifelong appreciation of food and saving and reusing anything she could.
As a young adult looking for opportunities she became a secretary with the British Embassy. She was stationed in a couple of countries, most memorable being Russia, where she would work in a soundproof room to avoid anyone overhearing sensitive information. After that, looking for a change, preferably in a warmer country, she chose to be transferred to Mexico. Arriving in Veracruz on a cargo ship and making her way inland to Mexico City.
Mexico, as fate would have it, would be her final destination as she met her future husband, Ray Baker, at an Embassy party. A match made in heaven because "she cooked" and "he had a car". One of the highlights of their wedding was making a traditional English wedding fruitcake in a bathtub.
The young couple settled into married life and soon had three children to keep them busy. Simon is the eldest, followed by Carolyn and last, but not least, there is Christina.
The next phase of her life included founding the Lancaster School together with a group of determined parents. The school started with a handful of students and there were often fundraisers where Janet's baking became legendary and much sought after. Friends quickly learnt that they could come over to our house and head straight to the kitchen in search of the cookie bin.
Everyone who came over was warmly welcomed and they knew that there was always a place for them at her home, along with some amazing home cooked meals. Many of the “comidas” hosted there are fondly remembered by numerous friends.
Janet was not the life of the party, but she was the glue that held it together, attending to all the details and making sure everyone was well looked after. Probably why she and her husband made a good match.
She much enjoyed painting, a good read or television documentary. But she would happily trade them in for a good game of bridge and gossip with her friends any day.
Janet will be dearly missed by many, but especially so by her sister Meryl, her 3 children (well 6 as she took all the spouses to heart) and 11 - yes 11, grandchildren.