In loving memory of

Helen R. Baker
September 13, 1930 - November 12, 2020

HELEN ROSE BAKER
September 13, 1930 - November 12, 2020

"All that's happened, and the person I've become is coming out in color and design. And I don't care if anybody likes it or not." - Helen Rose Baker

Helen Rose Baker was born on September 13, 1930, in Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. She was the youngest of six children born to the late Burnes Allen & Lillian Ernistine Taylor Rose.

Helen was raised in Ambler, PA, and graduated from Ambler High School, now named Wissahickon High School, in 1948. Her favorite subjects were English and art. She was very active in school, participating in band, glee club, and assembly programs. As a self-professed "tomboy," Helen loved all sports and was a field hockey and basketball team member. Although there wasn't a girl's track and field team, she often mentioned she could run as fast and jump as high as the boys.

Growing up, Helen discovered the value of family, community, and caring for others, which extended throughout her life. As a child, she had a passion for orderliness and harmony, which benefited her as a housekeeper and childcare provider. After the birth of her son, Kenneth, she worked tirelessly to provide a stable home and life as a single parent. In 1960, Helen was introduced to Richard Baker by a cousin, and after a year-long courtship, they married in 1961.

A career in domestic work for Helen was a practical decision. However, art was always an interest, and she needed to explore outlets to express herself. Her natural artistic talent awakened on canvas while taking an adult painting course. In the 1970s and '80s, she participated in many local and national art shows. She had a few one-woman shows and exhibitions and won many awards, thus adding professional artists to her resume. Watercolors became her forte, starting with landscapes, shifting to flowers, and veering into an abstract period in her later years.

Helen was very active in the community and served as a member of the Abington Art Center and Woodmere Art Gallery; Afro-American Historical & Cultural Museum; National Museum of Women in the Arts and American Watercolor Society; Pearl Buck Foundation; Fair Housing Council of Delaware Valley; and Ambler YMCA. She also volunteered with Children of Aging Parents and the American Red Cross.
A particularly special community for Helen was the Ambler Mennonite Church. The congregation held a special bond in her heart. She was fortunate to find a faith community that equally poured into each other while sharing God's love for all. Helen felt God provided everything she needed in the simplest of ways. She had a servant's heart and gracious spirit, which showed up in teaching a bible study or making sure a new face felt welcomed.

Helen lived most of her life in Ambler. She and her husband Richard, married for 34 years, built a family and settled into their close-knit community. When Richard's health began to decline, in-true Helen fashion, she cared for him, providing comfort and support in his final days. Helen's red cardinal painting collection incorporated cardinals to memorialize "the one" that appeared at his passing. The cardinal served as a reminder that he is watching over us.

When Helen's health began to decline, requiring her to move into the Souderton Mennonite Home, her zeal for life, love for people, and sense of humor continued to impact those around her. Music provided a boost to her spirit, and she remains the reigning Queen of "Name that Tune."

Left to cherish her memory are her sister, Bessie Martin, from California, step-daughter, Sandra Lee, and husband, Rudolph Lee, from Pennsylvania, and long-lost daughter, Brenda Ridges from Oklahoma. She was blessed in this life with two grandchildren, Ahmed and Celestine, and five great-grandchildren, Julius, Cade, Trent, Kase, and Ryley; along with a host of cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, extended family, friends, neighbors, and her beloved church family, all whom she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her husband Richard, son, Kenneth Charles Carter, sister, Ruby L. Rose, and brothers, Burnes A. Rose, Warren Rose, and Lester Rose.

"With her joy for living, her great capacity for caring, and her welcoming attitude, Helen has truly encountered the world from her doorstep." Her impact will be lovingly remembered and continually celebrated by all who had the opportunity and privilege to know and love her.

Relatives and friends are invited to call after 10:00 am on Friday, November 20, 2020, at the Anton B. Urban Funeral Home 1111 S. Bethlehem Pike Ambler, PA. Her Funeral Service will be celebrated at 11:00 am with the Rev. Robert Lewis, Sr. officiating. Interment will take place at a later date in George Washington Memorial Park, Plymouth Meeting, PA.

Photos and tributes may be shared at www.UrbanFuneralHome.com

Tributes

Donna Merow wrote on Nov 29, 2020:

"The image of a young Helen Rose roller skating in the rain captures the essence of this remarkable woman. There were storms aplenty in her life, but they enlarged rather than diminishing her capacity to connect, support, and love. She was an international ambassador of good will and generously invested her time and talents in caring for others. She has accumulated a rich heavenly treasure in the lives she's touched and changed. I am grateful to have been one of them. Donna Merow "

Dolores Robinson wrote on Nov 20, 2020:

"I send my love to the Rose Family. I live in California and haven't been in Ambler in many many years, but I have fond memories of the Rose Family. You will be missed, Helen. I have great memories of your kind father. Dolores James Robinson from Penllyn."

Aaron Rose wrote on Nov 19, 2020:

"A memory I have of Aunt Helen is.... I was always under the impression that she was rich because she was always happy, very articulate, and most importantly she was the only one I knew that had I cream cones....like real.cones. She was always so giving and I have some positive memories I will cherish forever."

Jennifer Duskey wrote on Nov 19, 2020:

"When I think of Helen, I think of her smile, her sense of humor, her straightforwardness, but especially her kindness. I first met her in the 1980s when, for about a year, I attended Ambler Mennonite Church regularly. Then at the end of that year, I stopped coming abruptly, without explaining why except minimally to a small group with whom I had been meeting. In 2006 I was looking for Christian fellowship, and I returned to Ambler Mennonite thinking probably no one would remember me, and sort of hoping they didn't, since I felt bad about the way I had left. Helen was the greeter that morning, and before I could say anything, she smiled broadly and said, "Jenny, you came back!" Then she hugged me. Her welcome took away my discomfort, and I've been part of Ambler Mennonite ever since. On another occasion, I learned from Helen a little song that she had learned as a child, based on Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Helen lived that out warmly and authentically. She will always have a special place in my heart. "

Brenda Ridge wrote on Nov 18, 2020:

"Words can express but my mom meant to me her love her speaking truth her wisdom her laugh I called her every day just to let her know how much I love her thanks Mom for me being a part of the Rose Taylor clan yes Helen is gone from our presence but not for my heart with all my love your daughter Brenda Ridge"

Warren Rose wrote on Nov 17, 2020:

"Our family (Warren Sr., Laura, Billy, Marjorie, and I) shared the Reiffs Mill Road home with our grandparents. While the house looked like one single house, it was actually a duplex. Helen also lived with our grandparents and for some reason Billy and I were always being chased by her around the large maple tree that was in the yard. We would yell "legs as big as tree trunks" which really got her ire. I learned to ride a bike thanks to her. She had a "girls"bike, probably an Ollie Tate special. (Ollie Tate was a master mechanic who fixed up old bikes so that parents of limited financial means could have a bike under the Christmas tree for their kids. As I got older, I knew that Ollie was the true "Santa Claus").While I was hoping that no one would see me riding a girls bike, it turned out that Helen's bike was the best possible one for learning. She guided me around the block. past Dave Johnson's machine shop, around Stanly's garage, across to Teickman;s store, up Tennis avenue and back. If I wavered, I could always jump into the space between the tires and stop with my feet. A boy's bike would've been a hindrance to my progression. I learned fast and fat tires and all became good enough to ride to downtown Ambler. Over the yearss as I became proficient enough to get published as a photographer, Helen and I would ahare our images. He art was outstanding and on one particular exchange I told her of a "project" that I was working on that involved California Poppies and Icelandic Poppies. She laughed and said I'll send you a print of my latest. It was an art print of Poppies she was growing! I kidded her that her poppies looked illegal -the kind they grow in Kabul but she assured me it was for art and other legal purposes.Dawna Markova wrote a book titled "I will not die an unlIved ife". I don't know if Helen ever read that book but she certainly did not die an unlived life!! She was a great mom and along with her sisters Ruby and Bessie, was a great Auntie . Her art work will live in our home and the memories of what it was like growing up a ROSE greatly enriched by her presence!! On behalf of the Rose/Martin families, I thank Bill Rose for all the early administrative and legal he performed so that Aunt Helen would have a safe and nurturing environment during her later years Warren "Bucky" Rose November 17, 2020 Martinez, CA ."

Mike Martin wrote on Nov 16, 2020:

"My Aunt Helen Aunt Helen was like a second mother to me. She always had time to talk openly and honestly, covering a range of topics, but her favorite was family history. I will remain grateful for our very special relationship. Aunt Helen was blessed with a warm heart and will be remembered by this devoted nephew as ?Mother Theresa with a flair for watercolors. ?. She knew how to endure grief with grace, love without conditions, give of her time to others whether family or stranger, worship and love her God with all of her being and most of all, treat everyone with respect, truth and honesty. There is no doubt that my peaceful attitude towards life is directly correlated to those many years of association with Aunt Helen. Simply put, she made me a better man. Mike Martin Dana Point, CA "

Burns A. Rose, III wrote on Nov 15, 2020:

"I have some very good memories of Helen, whether it was staying overnight with Grandmom and Grandpop at 8-10 yrs old and being serenaded by Helen and her clarinet or being chased and teased by her, I had a great time with my aunt. After moving out of Ambler, I didn't see much of her, but periodically visited and would run into her when she lived in the house on Reiff Mill Road. I would visit Grandpop when he became ill and moved in with Helen on Florence Avenue, seeing both Grandpop and Helen, what a joy. She still then, would kid around and joke, and the three of us had a great time together. When Helen had to leave Ambler and live in a couple of homes because of her health, we continued our joyful periodic meetings, laughing, joking and enjoying each others company. Laverne and I will miss her wit, teaching and love. Burns Allen Rose, III"

Joe and Elaine Haines wrote on Nov 15, 2020:

"Helen was dear friend to us and so very supportive during our years in Ambler the early 90?s. We can still hear her laughter and have a print of one of her poppy watercolors hanging in our home. We loved visiting her and seeing all the artistic touches. You have been a blessing to us, Helen, and many others. Joe and Elaine Haines"

Susan Loop wrote on Nov 15, 2020:

"You are one of my heroes. You never left a stone unturned and loved all my children like they were your own. Your art is like candy to my soul. Rest in God's loving arms."

Melvin Thomas wrote on Nov 14, 2020:

"A quintessential and unparalleled matriarch she was! Mel Thomas"