Shirley Baldwin

Shirley Lesko Baldwin of Chestertown, MD died Friday, August 6, 2010 at the Chester River Hospital Center in Chestertown, MD. She was 87. Mrs. Baldwin was born August 2, 1923 in Nesquehoning, PA, the daughter of the late, Samuel and Anna Lesko. Mrs. Baldwin was a 1941 graduate of Nesquehoning High School. After graduating she worked as a Machinist for the Eastern Aircraft Division of General Motors in Trenton, NJ building the Avenger Torpedo Bomber Warplane until 1944. She continued serving her country during WWII by enlisting in the U.S. Navy. After an honorable discharge in 1946 she attended and graduated from West Chester University with a Bachelors degree. She began her teaching career in Pennsylvania and went on to teach in Delaware and then Kent County Maryland for over 30 years. On April 12, 1952 she married Hugh Baldwin in West Chester, PA and the two began their life together. Mrs. Baldwin was the first female commander of American Legion Post 36; she served on the Board of Directors for Upper Shore Aging and the Board of Directors of Magnolia Hall. Shirley was a recipient of the “Maryland’s Most Beautiful People” volunteer award, and inducted into the Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. She was a member of the Maryland State Teachers Association, First United Methodist Church in Chestertown, the Beta Sigma Phi, the Chester River Chorale, the Kent County Community Marching Band, the Massey Homemakers, Deborah’s Angels, the Old Kent Quilters Guild, the Kent County Questers and was a volunteer for the American Red Cross for over 65 years. She loved quilting, sewing, traveling, flower gardening and being with her friends and family. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Deborah Walls, one brother, Samuel Lesko, and one sister, Anna Thomas. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Hugh H. Baldwin of Chestertown, MD; two sons, Hugh H. Baldwin Jr. of Chestertown, MD, Robert S. Baldwin and his wife, Ann P. Baldwin of Worton, MD; one brother, John P. Lesko of Orefield, PA; two grandchildren, Robert S. (RJ) Baldwin Jr. and Brett J. Baldwin both, of Worton, MD, and numerous nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held Thursday, August 12, 2010 from 6-8pm at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam funeral home 130 Speer Rd Chestertown, MD. Services will be held Friday, August 13, 2010 at 10 am at First United Methodist Church in Chestertown. Interment will follow at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Chestertown, MD. Contributions can be sent to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 227, Chestertown, MD 21620 or the Humane Society of Kent Co. MD, 10720 Augustine Herman Hwy., Chestertown, MD 21620.

Shirley Baldwin

August 2, 1923 - August 6, 2010