Carol Baier

Carol Baier (1924 - February 29, 2020) loved music, education, science, the environment and her community. Carol grew up in Chicago, studied at Beloit College (PBK 1946) and University of Wisconsin at Madison. She and her husband John settled in Martinez in 1953. Carol taught math and science at Alhambra High School, then turned her focus to raise four children.

Carol was a faithful attendee of the PBK Asilomar Conferences in Pacific Grove and was always pleasant company. Her daughter, Molly, was also a regular and pleasant attendee until her move to DC.

The Martinez Kiwanis Club was a "bookend" for Carol, first as a participant in its Parent Education Nursery School with each of her children where she made lifelong friends, and later serving as the nursery school teacher. Some of those many friends returned, decades later; to the same location on Allen Street. Where children's tricycles once circled the yard, Carol greeted old friends at the Kiwanis lunch meetings. She passionately enjoyed the interesting speakers, and organized a series of environmental presentations . For Carol, every day was an opportunity to share her delight and musical talents. Her piano playing graced sing-a-longs with children, community-minded Kiwanians, and music-loving elders at her assisted living community. A longtime member of the First Congregational Church, she led the junior choir and provided special music on numerous occasions. A member of Martinez Music Forum for >60 years, she supported music education, and helped organize the annual fundraiser concert, “A Christmas Gift to the Community". She taught music lessons in her home, and took great joy in her students.

Carol loved learning, was active in AAUW as well as PBK, and took delight in both Diablo Valley College's orchestra and natural landscape interpretation field trips. She was enthusiastic about the conservation work of the john Muir Land Trust. On any given Earth Day or John Muir's birthday celebration, she might be found staffing their information table or playing "fiddle" in the bluegrass band "Spinning Wheel" - or both! In 2019, Carol was awarded the "Lifetime Grace Note Music Award" for her musical contributions to church and community.

Carol is survived by her daughters Molly and Ann (Thomas), daughter-in-law Tamara, and grandchildren George, Madeleine, Adam and Dale. Carol was preceded in death by her former husband John and oldest daughter Mary. She was followed closely by her son, Carl, who passed away in early March, 7 1/2 months after his diagnosis with brain cancer. He was 59.

Memorial donations may be made in Carol's honor to:
-First Congregational Church of Martinez, 1229 Court Street, Martinez, CA.94553
-Carol Baier STEM Scholarship Fund, Martinez Unified School District, 921 Susana Street, Martinez, CA 94553
-John Muir Land Trust,924 Main St, Martinez, CA 94553

Memorial services for both Carol Baier and Carl Baier will be scheduled once we can safely gather.