NORWICH – Catherine G. Baker, 79, of Sheff Road, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007 at Wilson Hospital in Johnson City.
Born Jan. 2, 1928 in Manhattan, Catherine was the daughter of Anthony and Catherine (Florio) Salimbene. She graduated from Long Island City High School and in 1950 married William DeFrancisco who passed away in 1976. Catherine moved to Norwich in 1980 to be near her family. She worked for a short time at Chenango Memorial Hospital.
She loved living in the area, its peace and the people. She especially liked eating at Ossie’s Restaurant and loved to bake, becoming well known for her pies.
On May 3, 1986, in Norwich, Catherine married Drew N. Baker who survives. She is also survived by a son, Michael W. DeFrancisco and his wife, Peg, of Lecanto, Fla. and a daughter, Elizabeth Catherine DeFrancisco, of Franklin Square; three grandchildren and their spouses, Charlene and Shannon Smith of North Pharsalia, Kathleen and Jason Cragle of Greene and Kristin and Martin Miller of No. Pharsalia and three great grandchildren, Katelin, Sarah and Emily Catherine Smith, all of No. Pharsalia. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Catherine was predeceased by a sister, Rose D’Agostino and three brothers, Joseph, Salvatore and Anthony Salimbene.
A Mass of Resurrection for Catherine will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday at St. Bartholomew’s Church. Friends are invited to call at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Contributions in memory of Catherine may be made to either the Residential Health Care Facility at Chenango Memorial Hospital or to the SPCA.
The arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the funeral home website at: www.wilsonfh.com.