Lois Clair (Baker) Dykeman

Lois Claire Baker was born June 8, 1927, to John M. Baker, Jr. and Elsie (Reichert) Baker. She was the youngest of three children who were raised in Queens, New York, with summers in Cutchogue, Long Island. She was a self-declared tomboy who later grew to have an intense interest in nursing. While still in Nursing School at Adelphi College, she served during WW II in the Nurses Cadet Corps, caring for soldiers and sailors who returned home wounded.
Through her college roommate (who later became her sister-in-law) she met, fell in love, and married Charles Dykeman, her husband for nearly 65 years. Lois and Charles had 3 children and each have their own special memories of growing up in a family that spent summers camping across the continent. These adventures came to characterize their lives.
Lois was a spitfire – very competitive at play – she played semi-pro basketball in college, was a class “A” competitor in racquetball, and highly ranked in golf, having 2 hole-in-ones to her record. Just last year, Lois took 1st place in the community putting contest. At annual family reunions, Lois, with Charles, would clobber her nephews and nieces in games of horseshoes, much to their chagrin.
Lois enjoyed life and had a personality that would fill up a room. She attracted people wherever she went and never met a stranger – in fact she would often start conversations with strangers without any encouragement on their part!
In her work Lois tried her hand at real estate, but returned to nursing, when Freehold Hospital in New Jersey first opened. She advanced to the position of head nurse, but later served in the public health sector as visiting nurse.
Lois spent many hours fishing the waters off Shelter Island, NY for clams, crabs, eels, and anything else that would take the bait. She was skillful in rendering the day’s catch to our plates for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
She retired with her husband to Dunnellon, Florida where they spent winters golfing and summers traveling. Lois became the President of the Women’s golf league in Citrus Springs. Yet, each summer, they would pack up their ‘rig’ and travel throughout the United States, including 2 trips to Alaska.
Lois is survived by her son, Douglas Dykeman and his wife Kristin Langenfeld; daughter, Gayle Dykeman; daughter, Susan Davison and her husband Gary Davison; and grandson, Zachary Dykeman and his fiancé Ashley Miller.
Lois will be interred with her husband at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL on February 23 in a private gathering of immediate family. Those wishing to remember her, consider donating to the “Cure Alzheimer’s Fund” (https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/CureAlzFund/OnlineDonation.html) in lieu of flowers,
The family would like the opportunity to thank you for your kind gift, please add the following information to your contribution:
In memory of Lois Dykeman
Att: The Dykeman Family
c/o Gayle Dykeman
4336 NW 26th Drive
Gainesville, FL 32605