Obituary of Lori A. Baird

LORI A. BAIRD September 10, 1967 – March 14, 2016 Goshen, NY The Lord needed another angel this week; Monday night he called home one of earth's hardest working angels, Lori Baird, as a result of a car accident. Born to Margaretta and Francis Baird on September 10, 1967, Lori was only 48 years old. Even so, she packed a lot of life into that short span of years. The best way to describe Lori's time among us was to think of a never ending fountain; a fountain of light, a fountain of giving, of strength, of service and above all else, a never ending fountain of faith in her God. Lori's professional career revolved around the healthcare field, working to provide one-on-one nursing homecare for a variety of patients throughout the Hudson Valley, working with special needs children in the Goshen Central School District, and most recently, as a personal care professional at the HVDDSO facility in Westtown, NY. Following high school, Lori was a graduate of the Orange/Ulster BOCES LPN program. Regardless of where her jobs took her, Lori's true passion and the focal point of her life was the many ways she served her congregation and the community-at-large via her involvement with the First Presbyterian Church in Goshen. Lori served several three year terms on the Board of Deacons (including several turns as Chairperson/Moderator of the Board), chaired the Deacon's annual Holiday Craft Fair, served on the Mission & Outreach Committee (including mission trips to New Orleans and Nicaragua), the Fellowship Committee and was an omnipresent force behind the scenes in just about anything that happened within the church or within the community on behalf of the church. Her pet project was spearheading the Goshen involvement in Midnight Run, a NYC program involving churches throughout the Hudson Valley who take turns making trips into NYC; delivering sandwiches, soup, coffee, clothes and toiletries at predesignated stations where the homeless could be served. Lori considered this her personal calling and worked tirelessly throughout the year to insure that when it was the First Presbyterian Church's turn every three to four months, the caravan of cars would be full to the brim with needed supplies and sustenance for those less fortunate. Lori had a way of getting volunteers for just about anything; and most would thank her for the opportunity when all was said and done! Lori will be missed by all that knew her and by many more that didn't. Her willingness to help any and all, from CEO to janitorial staff, will serve her well during her final mission in heaven. Lori is survived by her son, Darren Baird, her sisters, Susan Tucker and Mary Jane DeFreece and her brothers, Samuel Bailey and Gary Baisley. She also leaves behind several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents and her beloved Nana. A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at The First Presbyterian Church in Goshen, 33 Park Place, at 11 am on Saturday, May 7th. Dedication of her ashes in the church's columbarium will be held immediately after the service with a reception to follow in Fellowship Hall. Donations in Lori's memory can be made to The First Presbyterian Church in Goshen. Arrangements are being handled by Donovan Funeral Home of Goshen. Condolences can be left by visiting www.donovanfunerals.com