Teresa Vassallo Baker, 72, of Derry, NH passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, February 1, 2022. She was born August 26, 1949 in Philadelphia, PA and was a daughter of the late Vincent and Mary (Blee) Vassallo.
Teresa Baker was a loving wife, mother, and dedicated servant to the Lord. She approached all of life’s challenges with grace and benevolence. Teresa had many passions, but above all she was a devout woman of God. She attended Holy Family College and went on to receive her Masters in Education from Boston College. Teresa was committed to lifelong learning and was further accredited in theology, spiritual formation and guidance at BC. While in College, she met her best friend and husband Raymond. In their fifty years together, they built a beautiful life and raised two sons in Derry, NH. Teresa was a prominent member, chairwoman, and educator with the National Formation Commission of The Secular Franciscan Order and was an active member of her parish. She taught at St. Thomas Aquinas School in Derry and traveled the world teaching for the SFO as a national minister. Teresa cherished this opportunity to meet new people and gain perspective. She was an accomplished author and all three of her published books on the word of God are cataloged at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. Teresa was a creative woman who loved to read, journal, bake, work on Sudoku, take walks along Lake Massabesic, watch golf, and spend time with her grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Teresa is survived by her loving husband Raymond Baker; her sons, David Baker and his wife Emily, and Vincent Baker and his wife Kristen Keane; her grandchildren, Olivia Gilbride, Lydia Gilbride, Teresa Anne Baker, Abigail Baker, Samuel Baker, Charlotte Baker, Natalie Baker, Gretchen Baker, Hunter Baker, Nolan Baker and Myles Baker; her sisters Mary Falco, Denise McLaughlin, Francine Andrews, and Monica Shallow; her brothers, Vincent Vassallo, Matthew Vassallo, Hugh Vassallo, Thomas Vassallo, and Joseph Vassallo; and her sisters-in-law, Helene Gilbert, and Lois McAlister. Teresa was predeceased by her sister, Meg Reilly; her sister-in-law, Roseanna Moore; and her brother-in-law, Harvey Baker.
Calling hours were held on Sunday, February 6th from 3:00pm to 6:00pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes & Crematorium,15 Birch St., Derry. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated, Monday, February 7, 2022 at 10:00am in the St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 26 Crystal Ave, Derry. The burial followed in Holy Cross Cemetery, Gilcreast Road, Londonderry.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Franciscan Province of the Immaculate Conception, care of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Derry NH.