Vicki Baldwin

Vicki Baldwin, 81, died in her sleep on January 12, from complications of a massive stroke on August 23rd. Vicki was born in Dover, OH on August 2,1943 and grew up in New Philadelphia, OH, the daughter of Ted and Ferne Graff. She graduated from New Philadelphia High School in 1961 and attended Capital University in Columbus, OH, majoring in organ performance and earning a B. A. in music in 1966. 

Vicki married Dean Baldwin in 1964, and their son, Philip, was born the following year. They moved to Warrensburg, MO in 1966, then to Yankton, SD, where their daughter Tanya was born and Vicki earned a Masters of Music Degree from the University of South Dakota in 1968. They returned to Columbus in 1969. When Dean was awarded a fellowship in 1971, they spent ten months in Lincoln, England—a life-changing experience. 

Vicki’s professional music career began as a sophomore in high school, when she began playing for services for Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Her proficiency led to an organ scholarship to Chautauqua in the summer of 1961, which she said was “like heaven!” The family returned to South Dakota in 1972. In 1975, they moved to Erie for Dean’s new position at Behrend College.

In Erie, Vicki served as organist/choir director at Christ Methodist, St. Mark’s Episcopal, and Mt. Calvary Lutheran churches, retiring in 2022 after 33 years at Mt. Calvary. In 1992, she enjoyed the highlight of her career, accompanying St. George’s choir and playing Bach’s “Toccata in F” as the postlude for All Saints Sunday in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. She also accompanied the Presque Isle Chorale for 25 years and taught piano privately. A musician friend said of her: “Nobody else held a candle to Vicki for her elegance and grace, her quiet humility, her sweet musicality, and surprising strength.”

Vicki loved traveling, and over the years she and Dean visited nearly every country in Europe. She loved everything British: “Masterpiece Theatre,” “East Enders,” Princess Diana, quaint thatched cottages, high tea, and fish ‘n chips. Their travels led to humorous Christmas letters detailing their misadventures abroad. Vicki loved her family and friends and was beloved by them. She was a perfectionist about her music, appearance, and home. She loved shopping, jewelry, bargains, parties, meals out, PBS, CNN, and laughter.

Vicki is survived by her husband of 60 years; their son Phil and his wife Natalie of Spokane, WA; their daughter Tanya Huffman and her husband Seth of Cleveland, OH; her sister, Linda Graff Sauer and husband Rod of Athens, OH, and by grandsons Thomas, William, and James Baldwin, and Jayananda Foose.

A celebration of Vicki’s life will be held February 8 at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church. Friends are invited to arrive at 1:00 p.m. for fellowship and a video tribute. The service will begin at 2:00 p.m. with a reception to follow at Springhill Senior Living. The service will also be simulcast at : https://www.facebook.com/share/1MDaKg5wo4/ Masks are recommended.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Vicki’s name to Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church (1603 W. 32nd St., Erie, 16508), Hooked on Books for Kids (P. O. Box 3059, Erie, 16508), or the Erie Junior Philharmonic (23 W. 10th St., Erie, 16501).

Arrangements have been entrusted to Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Services West Ridge, 3801 W. 26th St., Erie, PA 16506.