Irma Baker, 98, longtime dance professional, passed away peacefully on November 9, 2015. Born in Albany on June 10, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Eugene and Grace Mae (Felt) Souder. She married her beloved husband, Edward P. Baker in 1938. Irma graduated in 1939 from Maryville College, located in Tennessee. Throughout Irma's life she excelled in the art of dance. Traveling extensively around the world, she made a name for herself in the dance industry. Irma was honored in 1997 by the honorable Dance Masters of America with a 50 Year Membership Award. She served as Secretary, Vice President and President of DMA Chapter #8; Board of Directors of DMA #26. As both a professional dancer and dance instructor, Irma owned dance studios in Albany, Marathon, Auburn, Red Creek, Camillus, Seneca Falls, Clifton Park and Scotia. Her first dance recital was in 1935, at Eastern Star Hall— Albany, NY. Her legacy continues today at the Baker School of Dance, where daughter, Denise, and granddaughter, Kyle, educate dancers of future generations. Irma was an important figure to many of her students. Her students have gone on to become Tony Award winners, Rockettes, Broadway Dancers and Dance Studio Directors. In 2007, the Rochester Institute of Technology nominated Irma for RIT's "Teacher Recognition Program". Her Alma Mater, Maryville College, cited Irma as an "ICON" in their Focus Magazine for her lifetime career in dance. Senator Farley, bestowed a citation of New York State for achievement in dance. Family and friends of Irma, look out your windows at night and take sight of the great Winter Circle of stars in the sky Orion and Taurus. Be reminded by the stars of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing "There was a star danced, and under that I was born..." Our star, Irma has taken her final bow. Irma was predeceased by her husband, Edward P. Baker (1998); her brother, Eugene Souder and sister, Eunice Burnham. Irma is lovingly survived by her children, Edward P. Baker of Corona, CA, Beverly Baker of Rhineback, NY, Denise Baker of Glenville, NY; six grandchildren, Kyle Henzler Hatfield, Tara Jones, Bonnie Shugrue, Kelly Conley, Edward III Baker, Lisa Baker; great-grandchildren, Aiden, Brendan, Ciaran, Elijah, Lydia, Noah and Sophia. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, Nov. 15 from 1 to 3 p.m., at the Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Rd., Glenville. A brief memorial service will begin at 3 p.m. The family requests that all donations be made to the dance scholarship fund in lieu of flowers, to Baker Dance of School— www.bakerdance.com Online condolences can be made at glenvillefuneralhome.com.

Published in The Daily Gazette on Nov. 13, 2015
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