Holly Ewing Baker

Holly Ewing Baker passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on January 9th, 2024 at the age of 73 after a brief illness. Holly was born on December 20th, 1950 in Easton, Maryland to the late Thomas R. Ewing and Mary J. Ewing. Holly grew up in Grasonville, Maryland where she was the name-sake of her parent’s restaurant, which opened in 1955, the well-known and beloved Holly’s Restaurant. Holly graduated from Queen Anne’s County High School in 1968 with a plethora of lifelong friends. She then married her husband of 54 years, Wheeler Baker, in 1969. In 1971, Holly and Wheeler opened Baker’s Liquor Store and Deli in Chester, Maryland. Those who knew about Kent Island, knew about Baker’s Liquors as it served as more than just a liquor store. Holly knew how to make any person who entered the store feel at home. Many years of partnership were well spent as Wheeler conducted sales at the storefront while Holly managed the finances and kept the engine running behind the scenes. After 51 years of running not only a successful business, but an eastern shore hub of entertainment, Holly and Wheeler retired together in the summer of 2022. During their retirement, they spent more time together than they ever have, which only proved to strengthen their lifelong love for one another. Holly and Wheeler moved their family from Grasonville to Kent Island in 1973 while busily raising their children; Jason Baker, Gideon Archey and Jordan Baker in Marling Farms. Holly loved spending her time with family and friends at the beach in Ocean City, Maryland, during long trips to Disney World, and traveling across the country to hydroplane races with Wheeler and their children, and in later years with their grandchildren. Holly was the matriarch of her family and as a friend to countless people in her life. Being the matriarch, she always had an answer for an issue that you didn’t realize existed, and was absolutely always right. Holly also knew how to keep her loved ones, family or not, entertained for hours with her timeless stories, fireside chats in the living room, and off-color jokes that could warm you to the core, usually followed by or in the form of a show-tune. Holly’s legacy to her family and friends is her pizazz for life. She took on life’s turns, trials and tribulations with courage as well as a sense of humor that will forever be remembered. Holly is survived by her husband Wheeler Baker; son Jason Baker; and daughter, Gideon Archey. She is also survived by Mitchell Andrew and his wife Tami Andrew and Katie Long whom she raised as her own children. Lastly, she is survived by her posse of grandchildren; Regan Baker, Sydney Archey, Lindsey Baker, Peyton Songer, Caden Baker, Isabella Baker, Olivia Baker, Jory Long, Braden Andrew, and Karly Andrew; sister, Mary “Cissy” Roseberry, and sister-in-law, Kay Ewing Maloney. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her brother, Tommy Ewing and daughter, Jordan Baker. A visitation will be held at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home in Chester, MD on Sunday, January 14th, 2024 from 2pm to 5pm. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Chesterwye Center in Grasonville, MD.

Holly Ewing Baker

December 20, 1950 - January 9, 2024