Dorothy Ann (Vannicola) Baker

Dorothy A Baker (Vannicola), 82, of Long Neck, De, referred to as “Dot” by friends, left this world unexpectedly, Thursday, October 5, 2023, surrounded by family that loved her.

Born on February 28, 1941, in Silview, DE, in a blizzard, Dorothy was nicknamed “Snowflake”, with her fun-loving personality, she would later joke that now she is the whole blizzard.

She was the fourth of five children of the late Jacob Vannicola and Emily (Dailey) Vannicola who emigrated from Italy to the U.S. to northern DE, finally settling on a small farm in Greenwood, where she and her four siblings would share many lasting memories.

She loved cooking and baking and spending time with family, she especially enjoyed her time with her children and grandchildren. She always had a smile on her face and laughter in her heart.

Dorothy met and married Bill Calvanesa and together they had five children, four of which survive her, Michael A. Calvanesa and his wife Donna of Dover, Mark A Calvanesa (estranged) and his wife Kimberly of Bridgeville, L. Susan (Calvanesa)-Noll and husband Randy of Harrington, Lisa K. Bryden and husband Michael Bryden of Bridgeville, and Mathew A. Calvanesa (whom she now cradles in her arms in heaven). Bill and Dorothy eventually divorced.

She found love again with husband Lloyd D. Baker and gained a stepson, Robert Baker (who preceded her in death) and a stepdaughter, Darlene Baker of Georgia. Lloyd and Dorothy would spend many happy years at their home in Long Neck, where Dorothy was a homemaker.

Along with her parents she was preceded in death by two brothers, Harry Vannicola and his wife Mary Lou, and John Vannicola and his wife Betty.

She is also survived by her sister, Louise Vannicola of Milford, her brother, Jimmy Vannicola and wife Pat of Chicago, IL., 8 grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

A graveside funeral will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, October 13, 2023 at Hollywood Cemetery, 6537 Milford Harrington Highway, Harrington, De 19952.

Arrangements in the care of Short Funeral Services in Georgetown where online condolences are welcome for the family at www.shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com