Ruth Veronica Baker (neé Sewell) 1933 – 2019  [Sidcot 1946-52]

Ruth arrived at Sidcot after 4 years of internment by the Japanese in Hong Kong (see Strange Harmony by William Sewell). She loved Sidcot  -  friendships, sport, music, the beautiful hills, the inspiring Quaker Meeting as well as her studies.  Ruth worked hard and soon showed that she had a love of science, flourishing under Richard Hinton and Aubrey Hopes. She became head girl and was successful in gaining a place at St Hilda’s College, Oxford to read the then brand new discipline of biochemistry. She was excited to be at the forefront of the discoveries that were being made and, after gaining a First, immediately started on her PhD.

In 1957 Ruth married Roger Baker, a former Bootham head boy, whom she had got to know through Young Friends activities. After completing her PhD in 1959, they made the decision to start a family, and Ruth restricted her scientific involvement to sub-editing the journal of neurochemistry.  When the three children had left primary school, an opportunity to return to research led to four well-received papers on hormones in pituitary glands.  Latterly she was tutor and demonstrator in pharmacology for medical students, becoming an ‘extraordinary fellow’ at New College.  

Ruth was always much involved with local Quaker matters, and this led to service on the Central Committee of Quaker Peace and Service.  Quaker Peace work took her to Sri Lanka and several other countries.  She cherished her contacts with China, taking an active role in the Quaker China Group, who valued her perceptiveness, constant support and hard work. She helped set up the non-denominational Friends of the Church in China, serving as General Secretary and organiser of conferences for many years. She represented Quaker Peace and Service on the Churches Commission on Mission, and in 1983 was a member of the British Council of Churches delegation to China. Locally, Ruth instigated ecumenical activities which in 1988 led to a formal organisation which is still thriving.

An accomplished seamstress and knitter, Ruth also read widely, gardened, practised tai chi, lead health walks and was a supporter of numerous charities.  Her death was most unexpected and sudden – the result of a severe stroke. The large number of people who came to her funeral and memorial meeting spoke about how much her personal qualities were appreciated  -  her warmth, compassion and humility alongside her abundance of wise counsel.  She was a guru to many groups yet remained open-minded and non-judgemental, and was great fun to be with.