Searsport, Maine - Sandra Baker, 84, of Searsport, passed away on July 20, 2025, in Bangor, where she was being lovingly cared for by the amazing staff at Winterberry Heights. She was born on May 17, 1941, in Washington, D.C., to Rosamond Taylor and George H. Martens Jr.

Sandi spent her childhood being moved to new towns and schools due to her father's career, but returned each summer to the family camp in Sandy Point, ME - it was here that she called "home." In the summer of her 17th year, Sandi spotted the handsome blonde-haired, blue-eyed, Bruce McDunnah at a gas station in Bucksport and, on a whim, decided to introduce herself and invite him to a beach party. Due to return to Greenwich, CT, the following day, fate stepped in when her grandfather passed away, and she ended up staying in Maine while her mother settled affairs. For the next week, Sandi and Bruce spent every day together, developing a relationship that would keep them coming in and out of one another's lives for the next four years until they finally accepted the inevitable. They went on to have four children, Lori Gauvin, Douglas, Michael, and Kathleen McDunnah; and five grandchildren, Kelsey, Olivia, and Bronwyn Gauvin, Brighton McDunnah, and Owen Sherwood. Sandi shared a special bond with her son-in-law, Gary Gauvin, whose constant care, support, and kindness meant the world to her. She relied on him deeply, often saying she didn't know what she would do without him.



Sandi grew up privileged but never felt like she belonged in that world and happily settled into small-town life in Bucksport, ME. Her upbringing, being so different from Bruce's, allowed her children and grandchildren to experience a variety of perspectives and instilled in them a love of musical theatre, literature, movies, and music, as well as a fierce sense of social justice.

After divorcing Bruce, she turned her love of yard sales into her business, Second Hand Rose. Over the years, she expanded into antiques and eventually specialized in antique paper, selling magazine ads out of her shop and via mail-order as The Galloping Beggar. It was during these years that she met her second husband, Bradford Baker.

Sandi found a true home in Searsport, where she was blessed to be a part of a wonderful neighborhood of friends who helped watch over her as her health failed, allowing her to remain in her beloved home for as long as possible. For this, her family is extremely grateful.

Sandi will be remembered as being sassy, outspoken, stubborn, smart, and extremely creative. She was the family genealogist and took as much pleasure from discovering scandals and secrets as she did tracing the lineage to royal, Salem, and Mayflower ancestors. As a talented writer, she enjoyed crafting scrapbooks for family events, treasure hunts for holiday gifts, and poetry. She especially enjoyed writing humorous bits set to the tunes of old songs and thrived when she found an outlet for this creativity. Being an avid animal lover, Sandi took in many strays over the years, but had a particular fondness for cats. Her hobbies also included reading, listening to music, defending her liberal political views, and watching tennis, football, and her beloved Red Sox.

With an amazing sense of humor and sharp wit, she made friends easily with people from all walks of life. She was especially drawn to those with unique and colorful personalities who shared her quirky sense of humor. She made a lasting impression on everyone she met and will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.