September 1, 1941 – December 20, 2022

Grace Kyle Newell Baker, 81, of Friendswood passed away on December 20, 2022 after a long illness.

She is survived by daughter Leah Jones and husband Sid of Friendswood, son Aaron Baker and wife Lori of Plano, and four grandchildren:  Elizabeth Baker of Chicago; Kyle Jones (and wife Rachel) of Madison, Wisconsin; David Jones of College Station and Catherine Baker of Plano.  She also leaves a brother Chuck Newell and wife Elizabeth of Portland, Oregon, sister Mary Williams and husband Willie of Austin and brother Tom Newell and wife Linda of Richmond, along with beloved nephews, cousins and extended family.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 50 years, Bob, who died in 2014.

Born Sept. 1, 1941 in Houston to Vance Newell and Natalie Anderson Newell, Grace graduated from Austin High School in 1959.  Her childhood was spent in Southside Place and Austin.  While in college at the University of Texas, she met Bob while both worked at the state mental hospital.  They married in 1964 in Austin, and moved to Friendswood in 1967.  Grace returned to her studies while raising Leah and Aaron, graduating from the University of Texas with a bachelor of science in nursing.

For years, Grace worked as a registered nurse at Ben Taub Hospital, specializing in trauma and acute care, and later in neuro intensive care and as a nurse manager.  Her tales of what happened during her shifts in Houston’s public hospital emergency room were gripping and always told while chain-smoking cigarettes.  Later, she worked at the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston, and Clear Lake Surgicare in Webster.  She volunteered for medical mission trips to Honduras.

Grace lived her faith through words and actions.  She was an active member at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, serving over the years as senior warden, vestry member, Episcopal Church Women president, lay eucharistic minister, verger, Altar Guild member and volunteer at the Shepherd’s Nook Thrift Shop.  She was a youth group leader and active in the early Cursillo and Happening movements.  Her most important and lasting ministry were the teenagers at Good Shepherd in the 1970s and ‘80s.  They sought her attention and advice, which she freely gave, along with a lot of love and encouragement.  Grace inspired countless youth to be thinking Christians and debate questions of faith.

Grace was abundantly compassionate, caring for others in an inseparable combination of nurse, mother and friend.  In moments of emotional turmoil, Grace’s loyalty and comfort were instant and unequivocal.  She zeroed in on one’s hurt with a creative tirade of expletives against the perpetrator and a big hug for the wounded.  She loved fiercely, unconditionally and non-judgmentally.

Grace also was feisty and blunt.  She never offered platitudes.  She asked direct questions and insisted on clear answers.  A good evening was some Chardonnay, a little bickering with Bob and a good debate on feminism.

Cooking and food were not her thing; she stood 5’10” and usually weighed about 100 pounds.  But she did make chicken soup and Bob made bread.  They took both to the sick weekly in Friendswood for years.

In the 1970s, Bob and Grace enjoyed square dancing.  Later, they got into British television shows and after retirement went on 20+ cruises with their good friends Joan and Jerry Gilson of Kansas City.

Grace was a true liberal who lived her values with authenticity.  She was a role model for sincerity and inclusion.  She respected others’ choices, and did not disparage, invalidate or trivialize anyone’s concerns.  This made her a great soul mate to Bob, much-loved granny and a wonderful mother to her children and adopted daughter Laura Borda and husband Guillermo of Houston, and their sons Julian and Sebastian.

The Rev. Justin Briggle will lead a memorial service and innichment on Saturday, January 14 , 2023 4 p.m. at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 1207 W. Winding Way in Friendswood, with a reception following in Sterling Hall.  Memorial donations to Good Shepherd would be appreciated instead of flowers.  Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at www.jeterfuneralhome.com.