Donna W. Baker, age 90, of Rome passed away on June 22, 2026. Donna was born in Rome, NY on February 5, 1936, to the late Raymond and Mary Watson. She graduated from Rome Free Academy in 1954. In January, 1964, she married Richard Baker. He passed away in 1987. She was a waitress for over 60 years at different restaurants/diners throughout Rome, including 13 years at the after-hour breakfast place, The Hollywood Restaurant and more notably 43 years at the Iron Kettle. She enjoyed every moment of being a waitress and made many friends and acquaintances over the years. When not wearing her waitress uniform, she was well known for her fashion, with everything matching from her earrings right down to her shoes. Mom loved musicals. In her early years, she was very active in the Rome Community Theater (RCT). She played Auntie Mame in the musical Mame. She also had a role in Guys and Dolls and Cabaret among others. She reprised the role of Auntie Mame when RCT brought Mame back to the theater 20 years later. In later years, she became well-known for her role as the Grandmother in the party scene of John Hayes-Oneill’s production of The Nutcracker. She remained in this role for over 25 yrs vowing to stay until the last granddaughter aged out of dance, which would have been her great-granddaughter, Aisinn. However, physical challenges forced her to relinquish her role before fulfilling that goal.

Mom enjoyed hobbies such as photography and crafting. She could wrap and decorate a gift like no one else. The hobby she enjoyed the most, though, was shopping for clothes, shoes and jewelry to match every outfit. However, most important to her were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Though not able to spend as much time with the grandchildren as she would have liked, she made the most of the time she did spend with them.

Donna is survived by two sons and daughter in-laws, Larry and Paula, Darin and Linda; two daughters, Janine and Tia; her step-son Wayne Greig who referred to her as Momma Donna; her granddaughters and their spouses, Robyn, Samantha, Heather and Rob, Tara and Matt, Amber and Shaun; her great-grandchildren, Aislinn, Matthew, Olivia, Hunter, Truman and Maddux; her brother and sister in-law Bruce and Geri Watson, her nephew and his wife Paul and Patty Watson and their children Brandon, Lizzy, Nathan, Jenna and Jason; and a very special cousin Beverly Johnson

A special thank you to the staff of Hospice; especially her recurring nurses, Chris, Jessica and Carrie. Their care and compassion are above and beyond. a

In lieu of flowers, you may donate in her memory to Hospice, the Rome Community Theater or to a charity of your choice.

Family and friends may call on Friday, June 26th from 2pm – 5pm at Strong-Burns & Sprock Funeral Home, 7751 Merrick Rd, Rome. A service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, June 27th at 10:00am with burial to follow at Rome Cemetery located on Jervis Ave, Rome.