Heather May Baker

Heather May Baker (née Ireland)

Born in Victoria, BC, on June 29, 1938, Heather passed away peacefully at Royal Jubilee Hospital on April 5, 2026, with her daughters at her side. Left to lovingly remember her are her children Mark (Briana), Kathryn (Ian), and Sarah; her grandchildren Stuart, Tristan, Madeline, Will, and Callum; and her brothers Charlie and Derek. She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Grahame, as well as her parents (Leo and Alice) and her sister (Leslie).

Heather grew up in Vancouver and studied microbiology at the University of British Columbia. In the late 1950s, she met Grahame at Christ Church Cathedral. They married in 1965 and settled in Victoria, where they started their family. Upon moving to Kingston in 1977, Heather excitedly returned to the workforce. At Queen's University, she supported research in microbiology, biochemistry, and oncology. Upon retirement in 1992, the couple returned to Victoria where friends, family, and neighbours warmly welcomed them home.

Heather devoted her life to her family, providing constant support, structure, and encouragement as her children grew. She created a home that was warm, ordered, and full of activity, where music, conversation, and shared meals were central to daily life. A talented and creative woman, Heather expressed herself through cooking, baking, sewing, knitting, needlepoint, and gardening. She maintained a lifelong love of classical music.

In her later years, Heather remained active and independent, enjoying travel, pickleball, and Pilates while contributing to her community through her volunteer work with St. John’s Court. She lived a full life centred on family, home, and enduring relationships.

Heather will be remembered for her strength of character, her quick wit, her clear sense of purpose, and her quiet but unwavering support of those around her. She was a force, balancing marriage, family, and career with the responsibilities of being a rector’s wife — all with ease and excellence. Heather was a gracious and generous presence in the lives of her family, friends, and community, and she will be greatly missed.

The family would like to thank Dr. Alec Walton and the doctors and nurses at Royal Jubilee Hospital, particularly those in Emergency and on 5 South.

A celebration of Heather’s life will be held in the Denson Lounge at The Church of St. John the Divine, 1611 Quadra Street, Victoria on Saturday, April 25, 2:00–4:00 pm. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation (https://www.heartandstroke.ca) or the Canadian Cancer Society (Cancer Research) (https://cancer.ca/en/ways-to-give/sponsor-research).