Gracia Annetta Baer, of Sanford, FL passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 8, 2022, at the age of 82, at Advent Health Hospital in Altamonte Springs, FL.
Gracia was born on March 16, 1940, in Gainesville, FL to the late Allan Oliver Baer and Dorothy (Simpson) Baer. She spent much of her childhood lending at hand at the Polar Baer ice cream shop, owned by her parents, and enjoying summers fishing, swimming, and water skiing at the family’s lake home on Little Lake Sante Fe. She graduated from P.K. Yonge Laboratory School in 1958.
Gracia had many talents and hobbies including photography and videography, sewing, quilting, crafting projects of all kinds, painting ceramics, cooking, and birdwatching. She exceled at throwing themed children’s birthday parties, leading Cub Scout packs and Girl Scout troops, organizing famous block parties, and creating pure magic every Christmas morning. She loved camping and the natural outdoors; she became SCUBA certified in her mid-forties. She regretted never zip-lining, but she once took a turn at hang gliding.
Her greatest joy came from creating, raising, and being with her family. She was a loving mother and extended that love to family members near and far, with a special knack for always entertaining “the little ones”. She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and enjoyed Sunday school and church social activities.
After her children all grew to school age, Gracia began volunteering at a local hospital. She later completed her nursing degree at Columbia State Community College, Columbia, TN, in 1978. For over thirty years as a Registered Nurse, Gracia worked in various settings – emergency and trauma centers, operating rooms, hospitals, nursing homes; she taught infusion therapies and had a passion for home health care for AIDS patients. Over her lifetime, she loved being able to serve and help so many.
Gracia was preceded in death by infant son, Gregory, daughter, Genie, daughters-in-law, Tammy and MaryBeth, and sister-in-law, Mary Alice. She is survived by her children, Gerri (Hal) Corson, Gable Campbell, Jr., Gray Campbell, Glen (Norma) Baer, her brother Allan O. Baer, Jr., several cousins and numerous nieces and nephews. Beloved “Gigi”, as Gracia was known to so many, will be greatly missed by Troy (Nikki), Alex, and Zachary Hernandez, William (Candyce), Ethan, and Emily Hernandez, and Lexi Dempsey.
The family will receive friends and family on Friday, October 14, 2022, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at Milam Funeral Home in Gainesville, FL. A celebration of life will be held for Gracia on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at 11:00am at Milam Funeral Home. Immediately following the service, Gracia will be laid to rest at the High Springs Cemetery, in High Springs, FL.
Pall bearers will be Allan O. Baer, Jr., Hal Corson, Gale Campbell, Jr., Keith Campbell, Kevin Campbell, Troy Hernandez, William Hernandez, and Lexi Dempsey.
Milam Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be extended online at milamfh.com. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates memorial donations in Ms. Baer’s honor to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
