"Jan Baker Why did she buy that orange and cream moped? So shiny and new. I recall seeing it and falling in love, a boy’s fascination become a realty as at the age of about 12. The next thing, I had the keys. I took off down the pavement of Potter Ave to Beecroft Park rugby fields to test out Janet’s latest purchase. As expected of a 12-year-old, I came to grief halfway across the field and limped home with a grazed knee and a scratched moped. This did not phase Janet at all. Strapped to the roof of my Ford Angler, Janet’s new yellow Kayak – off to Campbells Bay for a paddle around the shoreline. These were wonderful days and certainly encouraged by Janet’s acts of generosity, although on reflection, I never did see Janet taking off to the beach with this Kayak. Let’s not forget Janet’s total love of animals. From cat and dogs – and there were many and I mean many - to the pet possum that lived in the garage. I can still recall sneaking home very late and being totally shocked to see Janet wrapped in her possum jacket and old fur covered track pants - standing out the front of her home with a torch pointing up the power pole. I also remember venturing into the garage with Janet, only to have the possum scale my legs, clawing its way up my body to nestle on my head. Terrifying but true. I know that everyone’s contact with Janet was a wonderful experience. She would drop everything to help and her devotion to everyone, no matter the size of the task was treated with great drive yet a humble and sympathetic approach. Our family would call the Bakers amongst our very best friends. From meringues handed out across the back fence to picking up our fallen macadamia nuts, the Bakers were there always. We will miss you Janet. Your finest asset was your love and devotion to family, friends and those in need. We will always cherish fond memories and how our lives were blessed having known you. You lived a very good life and all those you knew you loved you. Andrew Plume & family "

"Dear Janet, you were such a special person to me, so many happy memories, you were always there to guide me and advise me in my early years of joining Social Welfare as a new employee....you so generously loaned me your car on my return to NZ and the social worker role, your support and wonderful sense of humour and practicality in all matters always stayed with me, as did the many animal adventures we shared over the years.Your deep love for your family was always evident throughout the years we shared, as was the passion you had for your work and those persons fortunate to have been blessed by your pro-active acts of kindness. Love to Jac and family. "

"To say farewell to a good friend is a hard thing to do. Our family lived next door to Janet and her mother, Mrs Baker, since the early 1960s. I have such sweet memories of Mrs Baker and her kindliness and to this day, I plant sweet peas in her memory. The Bakers next door permeated my childhood; waves from our clothesline to theirs, climbing the fence to see the animals and the comforting sound of Mrs Baker and Janet clattering around by their back door coming through my bedroom window. How lucky we were to live there. Janet was a special person. I think of her as a pillar in my life. Reliable as the sun rising, confident, calm and interested in everything you did. As an adult, thinking about Janet’s work with the disadvantaged, I think she was a steady hand in some people’s lives, just when they needed it. There will be people in Auckland today that owe much to Janet’s choice of career path. Janet was interested in people and their lives; their plans, their dreams, in what interested and excited them. She encouraged and she listened. She moved with the times in her thinking. She had confidence that people would always do their best. She had confidence that people would do the right thing. She treated all people equally with a kindness that we could all learn something from. She lived her life her way. And what an animal lover! Thank you, Janet, for shining the light in this direction for me. I love animals and I know that the value and respect I place in them comes directly from the example you provided right next door. I remember a long list of Trixie’s, Harry’s and Billy’s over the years who adored her. So goodbye Janet. I like to think of you walking somewhere trailed by a long line of animals, maybe plodding down to a park for a late-night walk. I will remember you all of my life and each new animal that comes my way, I will say “Janet would have loved you”. Gill Plume "