Linda Ruth Baker

Linda (Aunty) was born 104 years ago in Walberton, West Sussex, one of two girls in a family of nine children.  Having acted as a second mum to her brothers and sister it was natural for her to train as a children’s nanny with Dr Barnados. She worked for them in children’s homes across the country and later as an agency nanny in private homes which allowed her to spend time looking after her parents as they grew old.  When they died she left the estate cottage in Tortington woods, and bought a cottage in Arundel, working first as a shop assistant in Saits Dairy and then at Paynes ironmongers.

Family was important to aunty and when she wasn’t cooking or gardening, she loved to spend time with her young nieces and nephews, and their children and grandchildren.  With support, she remained in her own home until January this year when she moved to St Wilfrid’s Priory in Arundel.  She died peacefully in hospital after a short illness and will be much missed by her large family and friends.