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Sally J. Riches Baker, 54, NYS Rt. 180, LaFargeville, passed away Tuesday morning, May 14, 2013, at her home.
Calling hours will be held at Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., 214 Sterling St., Watertown on Thursday, May 16, from 5 - 8PM. The funeral mass will be celebrated at St. John's Church, LaFargeville on Friday, May 17, at 11AM with Rev. Arthur LaBaff officiating with burial following in Grove Cemetery.
Sally was born in Watertown on December 3, 1958, daughter of James H. and Martha M. Phillips Riches, and she had attended school in LaFargeville. Her first marriage ended in divorce, and she married Richard C. "Rick" Baker on December 23, 1995 in Watertown.
She had worked as a cook and waitress at Longway's Diner, then ran Great Gifts & More, a craft and gift shop, from their home when they lived on NYS Rt. 37.
Mrs. Baker was a lifetime member of the Agricultural Museum in Stone Mills and was active in the Stone Mills Craft Fair with her husband. She was a avid horse lover, raised registered Belgian draft horses, and was a former member of North Country Draft Horse Club.
She was a magnificent cook and baker, and enjoyed entertaining friends and family at special dinners. Sally enjoyed camping, Saturday night bonfires, and crafting. She was always ready and willing to help someone in need.
Besides her husband, Rick, and her mother, Martha M. Riches, of LaFargeville, Sally is survived her daughter and her fiancee, Nichole M. Phillips and Joe J. Paige, Brownville; her son and his wife, Kevin A. and Rhonda J. Phillips II, W. Carthage; her four grandchildren, Samantha, Tyler, and Elizabeth Phillips and Alex Taber; her brother and his wife, Joe and Cindy Riches, Rutland; her two sisters and one brother-in-law, Kathy and Gerald Amyot, LaFargeville and Sue Newman, Watertown; sister-in-law, Mari Jo Riches, AZ; one uncle and aunt, Charles and Gertrude Solar, Clayton; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her father, James, her sister, Diane Riches, and three brothers, Clarence "Clay", Richard G., and Baby Riches.
Donations in Sally's name may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St., or Assoc. for the Blind & Visually Impaired of Jefferson County, Inc., 321 Prospect St., both in Watertown, NY 13601 or to American Diabetes Assoc., P. O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312. Online condolences to the family may be made at .
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