Written by Kathy Leaman and Darlene Pruett
In this installment, we interviewed Karen Baker Sullivan. It became apparent through our conversations with her, that Karen is carrying forward a family legacy of deep devotion to safeguarding the history of Marietta. From serving on committees, to gaining control of historical buildings, to securing funds needed to maintain Marietta’s foundational landmarks, she continues to selflessly gift her time to her community. We hope that you enjoy the article. 
Family is Everything
Hazel Hershey McElroy and James Baker met at Marietta High School and worked together at the local shoe factory. Their married life started there, but during WWII their small family moved to Muskegon, Michigan as James was asked to work on ships and help to develop the St. Lawrence Seaway. Moving back to Marietta their family continued to grow to a family of six children: Karen, Sharon, James, Marilyn (Lyn), Lauralee (Lolly), and Holly. This prompted a move to a larger home- “Old Hickories” on Fairview Avenue.
Hazel and James were incredibly hard workers and instilled a strong work ethic in their children. James worked two jobs, coming home for dinner with the family before heading to the second welding job. He and his brother are responsible for some of the wrought iron railings still standing in Marietta. Yet, he still found time to serve his community by serving on the local school board during the consolidation of East Donegal, Mt. Joy, and Marietta into one cohesive system, Donegal Schools. He also served for many years on the board of the Marietta Gravity Water
Company and Marietta Donegal Sewer Authority.
Hazel expertly ran the household. Karen was offered a job as a news correspondent while in college. She declined but shared the opportunity with her mother. Hazel jumped at the opportunity! She wrote for six different papers over 25 years, using a manual typewriter with carbon paper to ensure two copies of her articles. Capturing amazing moments in writing that chronicled a quarter of a century not only in Marietta, but in the surrounding towns as well. She belonged to 22 different community organizations. Both parents encouraged their children to study hard, work hard, and to seek education beyond high school.
Childhood
Karen was very shy as a child. She felt fortunate to attend a private nursery school/kindergarten run by Mrs. Geraldine Goss above the Maytown Post Office. One of her best memories is when Groff’s Store, next to her home on Market Street, had a “Grand Opening”. They were offering a Pinto Pony as a grand prize to the shopper who accumulated the most points. One dollar equaled one point. The Baker kids sat out front of the store and collected the points of customers who were not interested in owning a pony. They WON the pony and a red saddle! They entered their 2-year-old sister Lauralee in the Lead Line Pony class at the Marietta Lions Horse Show. She and the new pony, Trigger, won the Baker kids’ first ribbon. Trigger pulled a sleigh in winter and took them on long rides along the Susquehanna or up and down the alley near their home.
One birthday, Karen was given a horse, Sliding Susie, and her sister was given a saddle. As children, they shared everything. Sliding Susie won many ribbons in horse shows, she was a great horse. Karen would ride side saddle, her riding lessons were provided by a close neighbor, Mim Jensen. James took the Baker kids to Sunday school at Zion Lutheran Evangelical Church every week and then they would have horseback lessons in the afternoon.
School
Graduating from Donegal High School, Karen attended Elizabethtown College in her first step to becoming a nurse. She had been accepted at Lancaster General Hospital Nursing School when an offer to attend the prestigious Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing was extended to her. Encouraged by her mother to take the leap and move away from home, she stepped way outside her comfort zone and moved to Boston.
Karen then earned an Elizabethtown College BSN upon completion of RN at Massachusetts School of Nursing, followed by a M. Ed. at Curry College.
Boston/Milton
Upon moving to Boston, working at Massachusetts General Hospital on the 3:00 – 11:30 shift, Karen rode the Massachusetts Transit Authority home. Last stop on the line, her stop, was in Dorchester across the street from the Cedar Grove Cemetery. She always crossed to the cemetery side, which had a 6-foot-high iron fence, convinced that no one would grab her there! After nursing school, Karen worked for two years at Massachusetts General.
Moving to Beth Israel Hospital, she realized her love for teaching and was gaining confidence in her chosen career, became a nursing instructor. She was there for over 20 years. One of her patients confided that he owned a racehorse that had lacerated both front hocks in a race at Suffolk Downs in Boston. He was so worried about the horse that she agreed to care for the horse with daily dressings and medication. She was given a pass to the track, and later was given the horse. He arrived in Marietta in a 16-horse van and her mother placed him in a stall and hoped for the best! She had never even ridden a horse.
Her work in Boston brought love and marriage and most importantly the arrival of two beautiful baby boys, Scott Robert and Sean Richard. A need for a Cub Scout troop brought out Karen’s desire to help her community. She started the pack with six boys and ended up with 55. Serving as Cub Master for five years, she took on the many responsibilities associated with the growth of the troop, from earning badges, to camping trips. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Milton Youth Soccer Association. She coached the 5 and 6-year-olds for two years. Seriously!
Back to Marietta
Karen returned home and, either by divine intervention or pure luck, was able to purchase the home of her former horse-riding trainer. Literally right down the street from her family home, she was able to raise her boys in her old neighborhood. She continued serving by becoming a leader for the Boy Scouts. Helping her sons and others pursue the coveted Eagle Scout designation, she served as Chairman of the Boy Scout Committee for ten years. Karen loved supporting her boys throughout their school careers. She served as secretary for the Band Club and even arranged a Band trip to Boston. Serving as a nurse, she accompanied them on their band trip to Disney World. Both boys are grown and married, and Karen could not be prouder of them and their accomplishments. Throughout the years, Christmas and family events are still celebrated by the family at the family homestead, “Old Hickories”.
Marietta Community Service
Along with many others, Hazel was one of the founding members of Marietta Restoration Associates. Her children were young members. The Baker home, “Old Hickories”, was one of the first homes open for the Christmas Tour. This was a fundraiser organized by the Marietta Recreation Association and consisted of 21 homes. Karen has been on the Candlelight Tour Committee since 1989. “Old Hickories”, still with the Baker family, has been on tour several times. It really was and is a family affair to get everything ready!
Asked to join the MRA Board in 1991, Karen served until 2004. During her tenure, she served as Vice President and President and oversaw the early renovations of the Old Town Hall Museum. She also initiated the “Made in Marietta” series, highlighting Marietta history, architecture, businesses, and renown Mariettians. The first benefit auction was held at the Union Meeting House.
Karen joined The Marietta Community House Board around 1993. The “house” was really in need of some updating and the whole property in need of attention. The gym was rented by a local church for youth activities and the house was rented by a different church. They were providing community service but realized very little income. Becoming President of the Community House was incentive to really push the rehabilitation of the gym, now Studio, and house. Karen and her sister Lyn worked on the grant applications together, and along with Ann Sipes’ detailed financial records, were successful in securing much needed local grants. This success encouraged the continuing grant requests, and the realization of funds has greatly transformed The Marietta Community House properties. Stop by or check out the website:
MariettaCommunityHouse.org
Karen was one of the founders of the Susquehanna Stage Company. Using the studio/gym to perform their plays, they had a symbiotic relationship with The Marietta Community House. She couldn’t be prouder of their continued success and growth in bringing a beautiful expression of art in a beautiful setting to our Marietta. If you have not seen any plays, you must make it a priority to attend.
The Musselman-Vesta building needed to be saved. In 2002, Karen helped to secure the transition of the ownership of the building from Lancaster County, to being overseen by Marietta Restoration Associates. It is now part of the Rivertownes, PA, USA, organization. It is an incredible part of Marietta’s history.
In addition, Karen has also volunteered with these Marietta organizations:
Serving in her father’s position on the Board of Directors for Marietta Donegal Sewer Authority Karen was Treasurer, and is now Secretary.
Serving as Treasurer, Karen was one of the original Beautification Committee members.
Co-chair with Bob Heiserman of the Marietta Bicentennial. Sisters, Lyn and Lolly also served.
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Marietta – Presently on Fellowship Committee. Served on Council as VP and as President, Finance Committee, Mutual Ministry (advisor to the pastor), Pastor’s Assistant for 14 years, Treasurer for Lutheran Brotherhood, and Market Basket Branch.
Who do you admire
We have great admiration for Karen and all her quiet dedication and hard work on Marietta’s behalf. We wondered who she admired. “I would have to say I most admire my sister Lyn (Marilyn Lee Baker) because she spent the last 10 years of her life organizing our mother’s news articles and incorporating them into a book, The Scoop on Marietta, A Small River Town. Even though she was fighting a terminal disease she never complained and always had a positive outlook. Her book includes many interviews, which became life stories, of Marietta residents. Lyn wrote in memory of our mother but also in memory of Marietta’s storied past. I give of my time to continue Lyn’s and our mother’s dedication to our town and to the preservation of our Marietta history.”