Lois Anne Vara

Lois Anne Baker Vara, our loving mother of Auburn, NY, passed away peacefully at home on January 11, 2025, at the age of 89. Lois was born on September 12, 1935, in Ossining, NY, to the late Lawrence and Ursula Schatzel. She was raised alongside her three sisters.

In 1955, Lois married Donald Baker, and they moved to Croton, NY, to raise their growing family. Donald predeceased her in 1978. As a young widow, Lois remained in Croton, where she continued to raise their six children. In 1983, she married Frank Vara and eventually relocated to Lake Placid, Florida.

Throughout her life, Lois maintained a strong work ethic. While raising her children, she served as a secretary at Temple Israel under Rabbi Michael Robinson and later worked as the executive assistant to the Dean of Students at Pace University's Pleasantville Campus.

Lois was a remarkable woman with a daring spirit and a zest for life. In her youth, she was an accomplished athlete and an avid equestrian with a deep love for nature and animals. Lois was actively involved in her children's activities and could often be heard cheering on the sidelines with her cowbell. She participated in the Croton Recreational Women's Softball League and volunteered as a coach for the girls' youth program. Lois was also an advocate for girls' sports in the Croton community, contributing to the establishment of the Croton girls' flag football program.

Lois had a passion for sailing. Whether it was sailing on her 14 ft Sunfish or 32 ft O’Day, Lois logged countless nautical miles sailing the Hudson River, Intracoastal Waterway, Gulf of Mexico, and two separate crossings to the Bahamas. She also enjoyed traveling and exploring new places, which included visiting all 50 states; a goal she was so proud to have achieved. Lois took pleasure in sewing and crafting, cross country skiing, and her Covered Bridge bible study group. She continued to be an active kayaker well into her 80s.

Lois is survived by her sister, Patricia Schatzel, her children, David Baker (Lisa), Daniel Baker (Barbara), Cheryl Baker, Deborah Matero (Kevin), and Donna Baker, along with her stepchildren, Sharon Canapini (Ray), Debbie Vigilo (Jeff), and Dona Bryon (Brad) and Frank Vara Jr. ( Rhoda). Lois had six grandchildren, Greg, Emily, Kelly,Will, Lyndsay, and Ryan; four great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, cherished friends from Covered Bridge and Lake Placid, Florida.

In addition to her parents and first husband, Donald, Lois was predeceased by her second husband, Frank Vara, her sisters, Alice McLaughlin and Carol Grigsby, her daughter, Sharon Baker Smith, and her sons-in-law, Salvatore Matero and Fred Smith.

Lois was especially grateful for the care provided by her family, her niece, Kathy McLaughlin, and Hospice of Central New York of Finger Lakes. She will be remembered by her family and friends as a loving, wise, and special woman who brought joy to our lives.

Donations in Lois’s memory can be made to the Teatown Reservation https://www.teatown.org/get-involved/donate/ or the Humane Society of Highlands County Florida https://www.humanesocietyofhighlandscounty.org/how-to-help.

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