Tom Daniel shares sad news and this tribute to his wife, Jane Baird (AES Class of 1975). Condolences and prayers to the Baird and Daniel Families from Jane's AIS/AES Family.
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Following complications from cerebral amyloid angiopathy, Jane Baird died on July 31, 2022, with family surrounding her.  She did so peacefully and gracefully, but with true Jane grit that all would certainly appreciate. Jane is survived by her husband Tom Daniel, her two daughters, Sophie and Eliza Baird-Daniel, and her brothers Jeff and Joel Baird, as well as the exuberant, kind and wonderful cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and grand-niece. Sophie and Eliza carry on the essence of Jane as a musician (Sophie) and a physician (Eliza). They credit their happiness to a wildly creative childhood infused with their mother’s love of nature, music, art, crafts, hikes, camping, skiing, talks, a keen sense of social justice, and our duties to the communities around us. And they share her wicked and wry sense of humour. Jane was born on October 9, 1957, in Bogatá, Colombia. Her parents, Guy and BettyBaird, raised her, along with her two older brothers, initially in Colombia and later in New Delhi. In part because of Guy's work with the Rockefeller Foundation on international agronomy, and partly out of passion and interest, the family travelled extensively, enriching Jane’s appreciation for a complex world.

Her childhood was suffused with travel, nature, science, and diverse cultures. Jane graduated from Duke with a bachelor’s degree in botany and, after a gap year in Seattle, where she worked as a baker and a volunteer in community clinics, Jane went on to receive her MD, MPH and residency training from the University of Washington, specializing in Family Medicine. Her childhood experiences and sense of community influenced her career trajectory.  Following her UW Family Practice program residency, Jane joined Puget Sound Neighborhood Health Centers (now Neighborcare Health). She later joined the International Community Health Services (ICHS) team, all serving incredibly wonderful communities for generally uninsured or underinsured families. There wasn’t a day when Jane did not reflect on her love and enjoyment of working with patients and colleagues from all corners of the planet and all walks of life.  She especially enjoyed being a physician to the “whole family” — mom, kids, cousins, and more.  

Jane loved working with these families, many refugees from war-torn countries. And she got incredible joy and satisfaction seeing their children thrive to become successful contributors to our society. On top of a rewarding professional career, Jane was an avid reader, hiker, camper, crafter, and gardener.  She also loved music, played the French horn, and sang in several choral groups, enjoying sharing music and time in the company of others. In each of these, she forged deep and lasting friendships. Shortly after Jane retired from ICHS, covid hit. Not one to shirk responsibility, Jane volunteered to provide vaccinations in those early days. Some were done in the stadium, some in churches, mosques, and community centres. She also later volunteered with Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA) to provide citizenship tutoring for new immigrants to our country.  

In lieu of flowers, cards, or meals, Jane and the family ask that you consider making a charitable donation to any of the organizations below (or any charity you feel reflects Jane's values)

ReWA (Refugees Women’s Alliance) https://www.rewa.org/get-involved/
Cornell Bird Lab (select “in memory of”) https://give.birds.cornell.edu/page/7789/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=WEB
Planned Parenthood of WA. (select “in memory of”) https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-greater-washington-
north-idaho
Community Land Conservancy https://www.communitylandconservancy.org/
International Community Health Service https://bloom2022.raisely.com/contact

With our heartfelt thanks to all of you for your support, friendship, and kindness
over the years.

- The Baird-Daniel Family