Nancy Baker Maccarrick

Nancy Baker MacCarrick of Trumansburg passed away at Cayuga Medical Center surrounded by family on Sunday, June 30, 2013 at the age of 73 after a long and courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

Born in Ithaca on April 11, 1940, Nancy was the daughter of the late Frederick and Winifred (Vann) Baker. Nancy worked for many years as an operator for the New York Telephone Company and sold jewelry for Park Lane. She established a support group for single women and, in 1981, founded the Finger Lakes Multiple Sclerosis (MS) group of Ithaca. She wrote articles about MS that were distributed nationwide and helped raise a great deal of money for MS research and awareness. Nancy was active in the Jacksonville Methodist Church, serving on or chairing many committees. She also served as a Republican election inspector in the Town of Ulysses for many years.

Nancy will be remembered primarily for the type of person she was rather than for where she worked or the groups she was affiliated with. Nancy’s creative spirit was evident in her gardening, decorating, decoupage, crocheting and sewing. She was a gifted writer, creating short stories and, especially, poetry. For a time, Nancy even remodeled her garage into a gift shop for consignment crafts with her dear friend, Marilyn Burns. Nancy had an incredible memory and loved to tell stories of her childhood growing up in Willow Creek, her parents, ancestors, siblings and cousins. She was always the first to lend a helping hand. Her family came first and she cherished her friendships. As Nancy’s MS progressed and her physical abilities declined, she found new ways to help others through her positive outlook and extraordinary faith in the Lord. She loved to share her love of Christ with others and her spirituality brought many special people into her life. Although MS took so much from her physically, it did not take Nancy’s mind or spirit and she shared her love and faith until her last day on earth.

Nancy is survived by her three children Paul (Shannon) MacCarrick of Trumansburg, Amy (Billy) Kenney of Trumansburg, and Dan (Cathy Cole) MacCarrick of DeBary FL; her grandchildren Jacob, Theodore, Rachel and baby-to-be MacCarrick, Chelsey, Zachary and Dalton Kenney, LaRanda and Kolten MacCarrick, and Mikaela Cole; a brother Dick (Judy) Baker of Ithaca; two sisters Mary (Ben) Macera of Groton, and Betty (Bill) Gibbons of Exton, PA; a very special aunt Elsie Vann of Ithaca; cousins Pat Johnson, Paula (Bob) Batkin, Joyce (Toby) Basilius and Howie Hauss, and ; and many nieces, nephews and cousins all of whom she cherished and kept in touch with.

She was preceded in death by her parents Fredrick and Winifred Baker of Ithaca, her "twin cousin" Judy Vann Hauss and her beloved best friend Robert (Bob) Bishop of Jacksonville.

The family would like to extended their sincerest gratitude and appreciation to the amazing group of women who helped care for Nancy over the past several years. You all held a very special place in Nancy’s heart. They would also like to give a special thanks to the staff at Cayuga Ridge for taking care of her over the last 13 years, and the staff at Cayuga Medical Center for their compassion and care during the last week of her life.

A Memorial Service will be held at 12:30pm on Saturday, July 13, 2013 at Jacksonville United Methodist Church, 1869 Trumansburg Road, Jacksonville with Rev. Nelson Reppert officiating. A reception for friends and family will be held at the church immediately following the service.

In keeping with Nancy’s wishes, please kindly consider the Jacksonville Methodist Church, PO Box 244, Jacksonville, NY 14854 or the Trumansburg Volunteer Fire Co., EMS, PO Box 418, Trumansburg, NY 14886 if you would like to make a contribution in her memory.