Collette Ramsey Baker, 91, founder of the Deafness Research Foundation, died May 9 in Vero Beach.
She was born in 1918 in Waverly, Tenn. In her young adulthood, she became a favorite model of the renowned painter, Howard Chandler Christy. She was also a famous amateur golfer, setting the women’s record at her home club, Baltusrol in New Jersey, winning its club championship for four consecutive years.
After living with a substantial hearing loss for many years, at age 35 she had her hearing completely restored with an early fenestration operation. In gratitude, just over 50 years ago she founded the Deafness Research Foundation, for which she became widely known and respected, and was listed in Who’s Who for Women.
Under her leadership, DRF gave grants to colleges for research and improvement of hearing. She received letters of commendation from many leaders, including Hoover, Eisenhower, Helen Keller, Cardinal Spellman, and others.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 22 years, husband Maurice Baker, her brother Charles Nicks of Hayesville, NC, her daughters Collette Wynn of Washington Depot, Conn., and Janet Conrad of West Chester, Pa., eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to Deafness Research Foundation, 641 Lexington Ave., 15th floor, New York, NY 10022.
