Christine Baker Paine, 57, of 5928 Sleepy Hollow Rd., died in her loving husband’s arms on Sunday, October 25, 2009, at their home where she had also been under the care of other caring and devoted family members and hospice.

Born February 7, 1952, in Rome, NY, a daughter of Kenneth F. and Mary J. Szalkowski Baker, she graduated from Rome Free Academy in 1970.

She married John H. Paine on October 10, 1987, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lee Center.

For over 20 years, Christy was employed as a manager at the Quality Inn in Rome. She later worked as a bookkeeper and special aide for Paine Bus Service and as the office manager of Mark’s Auto Sales, both in the Town of Lee.

She had a number of favorite pastimes including being outdoors and especially on the water with some fishing included. She also thoroughly enjoyed her trips north to feed the ducks and even an occasional bear. Most of all, she cherished the time spent with her family and friends. Christy was truly a gift to all who knew her. Her memory will live on in the hearts of everyone and she will be forever missed by all of us whose lives she has impacted or whose paths she crossed.

Surviving besides her husband, and her mother of Lee Center, are three brothers, Kenneth F. and wife Patricia Baker, Raymond C. and wife Sandra Baker, and William J. and companion Cindy Revak, all of Lee Center; her sister Theresa A. and husband Nicholas Doria, of Nashville, TN; mother-in-law, Agnes F. Paine; 4 sisters-in-law, Diane Baker, Kaye (Tom) O’Brien, all of Lee Center, Lorretta (Phil) Fanelli, Sauquoit, NY, and Gale Meunier, Oklahoma; 2 brothers-in-law, Frank Paine (Claudia Decker), and Doug Paine (Debra Ferlo), all of Lee Center, nieces and nephews, Tara A. Baker, David Doria, Michael (Julie) Baker, Joseph (Sharon Siegler) Baker, Eric (Erica) Baker, Tricia (Anthony Pinti), Tracey (Ron Lamandia), Tammy (Scott) Hawkins, Lisa O’Brien, Kimberly O’Brien, Debbie Aikens, Stacie Esponosa, Crystal Breene, Wendy Ginther, Steven Paine, Fidele Fanelli and Mark Fanelli; great nieces and great nephews, Britleigh and Brett Hawkins, Hilary, Kyle, Ashley, Courtney, Tyler, Isabella, Ryan, Makayla and Kyleigh Baker, Gabrielle, Justine, and Nicole O’Brien, Maxx Mondrick, Diana Kaufman and Isabelle Aikens; aunts, Anna Gordecki, Bessie Brooks, and Peggy Kelly, uncles, Joseph Szalkowski and Thomas Baker, and numerous cousins.

She was predeceased by her father Kenneth F. Baker, Sr., and her father-in-law, Cletus L. Paine.

Beautiful, Caring and FUN!! Chris had a heart of gold and though we didn't become good friends until our senior year she always had a welcoming smile and a warm heart. Sadly missed and her potential cut way too short. - Walt Kapinos