Mary Patricia Baker

Mary Patricia (Cubbage) Baker, 84, of Billings, formerly of Glasgow, passed away on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, at The Springs at Grand Park in Billings, Mont.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 6-8 p.m. at Bell Mortuary in Glasgow. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, at The First Lutheran Church in Glasgow. Burial will take place at the Highland Cemetery. A reception will be held at the Cottonwood Inn from 4-8 p.m. following the burial.

She was born Sept. 12, 1932, on Sunnybrook Farm in the Garland community east of Powell, Wyo. She was the daughter of Percy and Beth Cubbage. Percy died before Pat was 5 years old. Beth later married Tesla Green and he adopted Pat.

She graduated from Powell High School in 1950 and continued her education at MSU in Bozeman, Mont. She was a member of the Chi Omega sorority and was active in many campus organizations. These four college years were the most defining years of her life. She made many lifelong friends while at MSU. She graduated in 1954 with a degree in physical education and business education. She then went to Glasgow in the fall of 1954 and began her teaching career at Glasgow High School.

She met and married Bob Baker of Glasgow on June 10, 1955. This marriage was blessed with two sons, Dirk and Bo. After the birth of her two sons, she was a stay-at-home mom until the boys started school. In 1969 she returned to full-time teaching until June of 1992 when she retired, after 32 years in the classroom. In April of 1994, she was appointed Valley County Superintendent of Schools. In April of 1997, she resigned due to family illness. After Bob passed away, she moved to Billings in October 2005 to be closer to her grandkids.

She was a member of P.E.O., First Congregational Church of Glasgow where she taught Sunday school for many years, Delta Kappa Gamma teachers' honorary and served a term as president. She was also a member of Mountain Ash Homeowners Association and was the president for one year. She was active in Global Grannies, where she made many friends and got to see some of the world. She is also a very proud lifetime member of the MSU Alumni Association.

Her biggest joy in life was spending time with her sons and their families. She especially enjoyed spending time at the Pines cabin with the family. Her four grandchildren were the joy of her life. She always enjoyed seeing former students and reminiscing about Glasgow High School. She maintained contact with many of her students throughout the years. Pat touched many lives during her time at Glasgow High School and many of her students speak fondly of her. Past students may remember her strong reminder about not running in the halls or wearing a hat in school.

Her parents, Tesla and Beth Green, Percy Cubbage; her husband, Bob Baker; her mother-in-law, Ella Vohs; special aunt, Eliza Basham; and her faithful companion, Bonus preceded Pat in death.

Survivors include sons Dirk and his wife, Tammy, of Hillsboro, Ore., and Bo and his wife, Amy, of Billings; four grandchildren, Kelsey and Tanner Baker of Hillsboro and Brynlee and Bryan Baker of Billings; one sister, Joyce Pattison and her husband Richard of Pavillion, Wyo .; their children Carrie, Matt and their families; one brother, Ray Green and his wife, Kay, of Powell, Wyo .; their children, Mark, LaRae, Kristie and their families; a special niece, Sandra LaFond Zagzuela of Centralia, Wash .; one nephew, Dennis LaFond of Eugene, Ore; and her constant companion, her dog Nigel.

Eternal gratitude is extended to all the staff and caregivers at The Springs at Grand Park where she had lived for the past two and one-half years. She enjoyed her time there and made many friends.

Memorials may be made to the Glasgow High School Trust Fund or the charity of your choice in Pat's name. Condolences may be posted at http://www.bellmortuarymontana.com.