Marie Anna Schmidt Baraniuk, 94, longtime resident of Southampton passed away peacefully on Monday morning December 14, 2020 with family by her side at CareOne in Northampton. Previously she resided at Lathrop Home.
Born at her family home in Clifton Park, NY on February 16, 1926. Daughter of Edward Siegfried and Anna Blaha Schmidt. She was raised on their produce farm and attended School no. 5 in Clifton Park until her family moved to Westfield, MA on December 7, 1941. She was a 1944 graduate of Westfield High School.
She leaves her children Frances Cross, husband Thomas of Ocala, FL; Ruth Baraniuk of Holyoke; Susan Baraniuk-Albano, husband Michael of Easthampton; Lisa York, husband David of Southampton; her grandchildren Eric Lepine of Waynesvill, NC; Brian Lepine of Madison, WI; Elizabeth Martin, husband Patrick of Southampton; Raymond Witkos, wife Clara of Milton; David York and Matthew York; her great grandchildren Hannah Johnson, and Ryan Martin, as well as nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Anna, her brother Richard, her husband John Baraniuk, her son William Baraniuk, daughter-in-law Deborah Graham Baraniuk, her granddaughters Tonya Baraniuk and Rebecca Baraniuk.
She received a Bachelors and Masters in Education from AIC in the ‘60’s. She taught in Southampton and Holyoke before starting her teaching career in 1969 at Easthampton High School while EHS resided at the current Neil A. Pepin building. Later, she moved to Whitebrook Middle School as a reading specialist.
She married John Baraniuk also of Westfield in 1946. They met while John delivered produce for her Dad, who earned the title of Cauliflower King. The newly married couple started their dairy farm in 1946 through the early 70’s. They raised 5 children during their 45-year marriage. She was involved in her children’s 4-H, Scouts and other activities.
Marie enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking, and her family and traveling. She’d visit relatives in Prides Crossing and enjoy the coast. Later in life you’d find her at Ned’s Point, Mattapoisett savoring the sights and sounds of the ocean. At Fort Phoenix, Fairhaven she’d sit on the rocks watching the fishing boats coming in and leaving the harbor.
Retiring in 1991, allowed her to become more involved in her grandchildren’s lives, caring and driving them to activities.
Their original dairy farm, King Oak Farm was transformed into a well-known equestrian center hosting decades of horse trials, dressage competitions, and clinics. Over the years Marie became a familiar figure sitting on the farmhouse porch watching the goings on after her cooking duties were complete.
Marie was known by many names; Mom, Mrs B, Bobby is the name her oldest granddaughter dubbed her, over the decades she became known as Bob.
Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Saturday May 15 at Boucher - O’Brien Funeral Home, 7 Pleasant St, Easthampton 9:00-11:00AM followed by a graveside service in the Southampton Center Cemetery, Southampton. Masks and social distancing required.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Lathrop Home, 215 South St. Northampton or CareOne at Northampton.
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