Obituary: Roberta "Amy" (Browning) Baker - Class of 1952

MADISON - Roberta "Amy" (Browning) Baker died on Wednesday, May 7, 201 4.

Roberta was born on Oct. 26, 1933, the youngest child of Charles Browning and Patricia Manion Browning's seven children. The young child, Roberta, was enamored by the radio show "Amos and Andy" and would stand in front of the radio asking for "Amy and Andy". From that childhood delight came her nickname, Amy. Amy and her siblings had the benefit of living in a single homestead throughout childhood. The house on Drake Street allowed her to have a predictable place to call home while also being strategically located to take advantage of all that Madison had to offer.

Shortly after graduation from Madison Central High School, Amy married William R. Baker in 1954. They had four children who survive her: Raymond Baker and Julie Baker (Robert Hull) of Madison, Charles Baker of Georgetown, Texas, and Mary (Brad) McWilliams of Bee Branch, Ark.

Amy was the quintessential Madisonian. Often people would remark, "Amy, you know everybody." She enjoyed many happy moments with longtime childhood friends as well as new acquaintances. Amy's sharp memory for names and faces was an asset to the riders of Madison Metro when she worked at the Transit window located at Main and Carroll from 1981 to 1990 and, later, when she transferred to answering Madison Metro's Infoline, where her geographical knowledge of "taverns and churches" helped to guide riders to their destination. She served the public well until her retirement in 1999.

While Amy occasionally enjoyed a self-imposed hibernation, she was never alone as long as she had a stack of books to feed her voracious appetite for reading. Amy knew a little bit about almost everything. She had a sharp wit that never was used to hurt another person. She enjoyed self-deprecation more than using her wit to assail others.

Amy was preceded in death by five of her six siblings, Mary Browning Fall, Charles Browning Jr., John Browning, Harry Browning, and Patricia Browning; and her grandson, Sean Raymond Redemann, whom she missed very much after his death in 2001.

In addition to her children, she is survived by her sister, Bernadette Stevens of Madison; and two granddaughters, Rachel Baker and Allison Baker, both of Madison. Amy has many nieces and nephews who also mourn the loss of their last Aunt.

A Celebration of Life is being planned for the afternoon of June 14, 2014, at THE ECHO TAP, Madison, Wis.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 11, 2014. Submitted by Janet Stevens (Class of 1965) and Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968) 

Note: Roberta (Browning) Baker's class year is based on a list of 1952 CHS graduates published in The Capital Times.