Mary E. Baird

May 30, 1919 – July 24, 2016

Mary Elizabeth Baird died peacefully on July 24, 2016 at the Summerwood Alzheimer’s facility in Moses Lake, Wash., at age 97, where she had resided the last three years of her long life.

She was born Mary Elizabeth Wine on May 30, 1919 at the Deaconess Hospital in Wenatchee, Wash. to her parents Virgil W. Wine and Grace Ella Wine. Her mother, Grace, had come from the pioneer family of Charles B. Reed in the Wenatchee valley who was very involved in the early apple industry.

She spent her childhood on the family orchard growing up with her brother Jim outside of Monitor, Wash. Starting as a young girl, she worked in the orchards, built apple boxes and decorated and built furniture for her playhouses. She developed a love of carpentry and interior design that continued throughout her life. Upon graduating from Wenatchee High School, she attended business college in Seattle.

On July 4, 1943 she married John W. Baird, also a Wenatchee High School graduate, who was serving in the U.S. Air force during World War II. At the end of World War II, she and John lived in Seattle while John attended the University of Washington Law School. Mary worked as a bookkeeper and attended interior design classes. Upon completion of John’s schooling, the couple chose to live in Ephrata, in anticipation of Columbia Basin irrigation water from the newly constructed Grand Coulee Dam. Again, Mary worked as a bookkeeper and continued her interest in creative home projects for herself and others.

In 1953 on May 23, Mary gave birth to her only child, James M. Baird.

In the later 1950s, Mary was the driving force in creating a small community of family homes amidst an apple orchard outside of Ephrata, called Shady Acres. Mary worked to develop the lots, landscape the community area, and in the early years, farmed the existing orchard trees.

Throughout her long life, Mary was involved in community organizations and associations. In the early years in Ephrata, she helped start the Ephrata Jayceettes. Other organizations included the Columbia Basin Hospital Guild and Seattle Children’s Orthopedic Hospital Guild where she served as Eastern Washington director for years.

In her later years, she was an active member of PEO International.

She attended the Ephrata Methodist Church.

Mary loved to entertain. She hosted countless bridge parties, Baird family Christmas parties, her famous New Year’s Eve parties, and an event for a state governor.

Mary will be remembered most for her true zest for life. She had endless energy, great creativity, and a sunny disposition. She had the drive and determination to achieve what she wanted in life.

She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Jim during World War II and her husband John in 2005.

She is survived by her son James Michael Baird and her two grandsons, Jamie John Baird and Alexander Paul Sergneri-Baird.

A private family burial was held on July 27, 2016 at the Ephrata Cemetery.

There will be a Memorial – Celebration of Life ceremony later this fall at a date to be announced. Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at www.nicolesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the care of Nicoles Funeral Home of Ephrata, Wash.