Obituary of Kristin Leigh Baker
It is with broken hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Kristin Leigh Baker (nee Brunsdale) on February 20, 2021, due to complications from ovarian cancer at Hotel Dieu Shaver Hospital, with her devoted husband at her side.
Left to mourn the loss of Kristin are her husband Charles of 15 years; her son, and the reason her heart beats, Joshua Arthur Vernon Baker; her parents Carla and Brian Allan, Michael and Ellen Baker, and Dale Brunsdale (Pam); her cousins, Jenn (Dwight), Ryan (Danielle), Karen (Joe), Noel (Jane), Brandon, Erica (Bryan), Deanna (Josh), and Laura (Jessi); as well as many other aunts, uncles and extended family. Kristin was predeceased by her grandparents, Vernon and Dorothy Johnston, and her cousin Dr. Barbara Tatham. Kristin will be missed by all who had the pleasure of meeting her.
The bond Kristin shared with her mother was unbreakable. They were not just mother and daughter - they were each other’s best friend.
Kristin never stopped short of reaching higher expectations in life despite many hurdles along the way and by doing so, she encouraged others to follow her example and their dreams. She achieved success as an Accredited Music Therapist, graduated with her Masters of Applied Disability Studies, Specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis, and was also accepted into the Doctor of Education (EdD) program.
Where many saw disabilities, she not only saw abilities, but she nurtured those abilities so that others would also see abilities.
The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to Terry Siolkowsky (Staff Chaplain), Dr. Levesque and Dr. Bokhari, and staff at Walker Family Cancer Centre; Jodi Tomczuk, RN, and her colleagues at the NHS St. Catharines General Site Emergency Department; and David Ceglie, Dr. Arvinte, Sister Louise Dillon, and staff at Hotel Dieu Shaver - for not just your care but more importantly your dedication and compassion throughout.
Kristin operated Vibrance Music Therapy as a sole proprietor, and partnered with her mentor, the late Jean Biller, operating Niagara Music Therapy. She also worked with and in many community special needs organizations, including but not limited to: Community Care Access Centre, Brain Injury Community Re-Entry Niagara, Niagara Children’s Centre School, Pathstone Mental Health, and Bethesda Niagara Community Autism Services. In August 2016, Kristin started work with the Niagara Catholic District School Board as an Applied Behaviour Analysis Supervisor.
Her involvement and employment with these organizations were more than just jobs; they were her passions. Her commitment and dedication to her colleagues, students and their families, was luminous as was evidenced by the never-ending outpouring of acknowledgement, appreciation, and praise that she received by everyone whose life she touched.
In her memory, the family requests that contributions be made to Kristin Baker Memorial Fund at https://gofund.me/5a32ac11 for the benefit of her son Joshua, and to The Niagara Foundation for Catholic Education, for the establishment of rewards, scholarships, and bursaries to be awarded to staff and special needs students, and to fund programming for complex special needs students.
In keeping with Kristin's wishes, cremation has taken place. A private funeral service in Kristin’s honour will be held at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME, 585 Carlton Street, St. Catharines, on THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 at 5:00PM. Guests may also attend by live video web-stream. Guests may also attend by YouTube Livestream (https://youtu.be/3NFUbG3zefo). A link to the web-stream will also be available on the Niagara Catholic District School Board webpage. The web-stream will be available for additional future viewing.
"No one gets to tell you
How to live.
No one gets to tell you
That you don’t belong here
And no one gets to tell you
That you don’t belong there.
The truth is, go ahead and fly
Because you belong everywhere,
You belong everywhere,
You belong everywhere."
~ Kristin Baker ~
DIVA OUT!