Sue Baker (Brandt) of Solvang passed away peacefully on Sunday April 12, 2026 surrounded by the love of her family and friends.
She was 77 years old and passed away at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, the very place she was born.
Born to Arnold and Elsie Brandt of Santa Barbara, Sue was raised and educated in Santa Barbara with her brother Robert.
She attended Santa Barbara and Bishop Garcia Diego high schools, and studied early childhood education at Santa Barbara City College and later at Cal State University Long Beach and Northridge.
While attending SBCC, she met and fell in love with Charles Baker. The two married in a small ceremony at Mount Carmel Church and built a wonderful life together, both dedicated to serving others and raising their three children Lindsey, Aaron and Amy.
Sue had a passion and true talent for working with children. For nearly 25 years, she dedicated her time to St. Andrew’s Preschool as a teacher and the director and volunteered at the Sunday school program at San Roque Church.
After Charles passed away in 2000, Sue moved to Sugarloaf, California, where she lived for several years before moving to Solvang.
Sue enjoyed good music, dancing, nature, gardening, friends, and finding the beauty in everything. Everyone looked forward to summer camping trips at Refugio State Beach, where there was plenty of adventure and good times with lifelong friends.
Above everything, Sue valued family. She was present for her kids from the time they were infants and into adulthood, cheering them on at sporting events, planning holiday activities and summer camping trips, and being a calming and steady advisor.
Her dedication to her family continued as she became a grandmother and a great grandmother. She was so proud of each of them. Pride and love were obvious every time she spent time with them.
She cherished her relationships with her aunts, uncles and cousins on both sides of her family.
Staying true to her love for adventure and a chance to see those she loved, in retirement Sue traveled with family and friends to see different parts of the world, and visit family throughout the United States, including Texas to visit her brother, relatives in the Dakotas and a most cherished family trip to Disneyland.
She always found time to stop and admire the natural beauty of an area and have fun.
Sue had a positive impact on everyone she knew, whether as mother, grandmother, godparent, teacher, friend, or neighbor. Her ability to love, find new beauty all around, and truly care about people is part of her legacy.
Sue was preceded in death by her parents Arnold and Elsie Brandt; and husband Charles R. Baker.
She is survived by her children Lindsey Narlock, Aaron Baker (Jan), and Amy Tagles (Dan); grandchildren Ben and Sam Narlock; Justine, Trevor and Malia Baker; Nathaniel, Bethany, Faith and Gracie Tagles; great-grandson Tatum Whitaker; and brother Robert Brandt.
Lindsey, Aaron and Amy extend heartfelt gratitude to Sue’s caregivers and friends who helped care for their mom allowing her to live a life filled with laughter, walks, card games and love.
Although Sue left us too early, she would be the first to remind us that she had a great life.
Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Sue’s life, 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16 at Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church, 1825 Alamo Pintado Road, Solvang.