Maria Baird, September 22, 1930 — May 13, 2019

Maria’s Obituary Catlin, Illinois – Maria “Chelo” Baird, 88, of Catlin, Illinois passed away at 5:20 pm on Monday, May 13, 2019 at Liberty Estates in Danville, Illinois. Maria was born in Tampico, Mexico. Mom was the 5th of seven children to Thomas and Soledad Diaz Ibarra.

Mom grew up with privilege and thrived as a parochial school debutant but gave that lifestyle away for love in December of ’65 when she married Herb Baird. Mom literally had to learn how to cook, clean and take care of a household while learning English. She had two sons, Tom (Mary) Baird and Jerry (Jennifer) Baird.

In 1972, Mom became a naturalized U.S. citizen and was until her passing extremely proud and patriotic citizen of the U.S.A. Mom worked and retired from the VA in Danville and captured great pride and satisfaction that she worked assisting veterans. When Dad passed in 1984, she continued working until the birth of her “first love” and first grandson Austin. She thrived at being a grandmother and was special to all five grandsons; Austin, Colton, Ethan, Evan and Colin.

She enjoyed artistic endeavors to include china painting, painting and elaborate cross-stitching and tending to her flower gardens and plants. Mom entered a new stage of her life after a health issue and relocated to Liberty Estates independent living and after much teeth gnashing and complaining accepted it as home and thrived again. She soon found that she loved the social aspect, especially meal times where she could practice her “homecoming/prom queen” wave to everyone there.

She later admitted that she wished we had moved her there sooner……… Maria’s family wish to extend a huge Thank You to the staff of Liberty Estates, Carle Hospice staff with special thanks to Tracy and Marj for the attention and love they gave Mom. Funeral mass at 1:00 pm Saturday, May 18, 2019 at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, Georgetown, Illinois with Father Deus officiating. Burial in Woodlawn Cemetery, Indianola, Illinois.

Visitation 4 to 7 pm on Friday, May 17, 2019 at Robison Chapel, Catlin, Illinois with Rosary at 3:00 pm. Memorials to the St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church. In lieu of cut flowers, the family requests potted flowers.

Online condolences at www. robisonchapel.com.

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