Sara Freeman Baird

Sara F. Baird, 81, of Cheyenne, Wyoming passed away peacefully October 22, 2022, at the Davis Hospice Center in Cheyenne from heart failure. She was born to the late Colonel Charles Newton Hunter and Mrs. Don Mae Hunter, January 10, 1941, in Panama. Sara grew up as an Army brat and lived in several places around the world, ultimately settling in San Antonio, Texas where she graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1959. Following graduation, Sara attended the University of Wyoming.
Sara married the late Linwood E. Baird at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in 1965. They lived together in Cheyenne for 53 years, until Linwood’s passing in 2018. Sara is survived by three children: John Pugh, of Pittsburgh, PA; Cindy Fornstrom (Stacey), of Englewood, CO; Mike Baird (Sarah), of Birmingham, MI; and grandsons Charlie, Henry, Jacob and Matthew Baird. Sara is also survived by her ‘little sister’ Nita Amar (Craig Staresinich) of Centreville, VA; her dog Molly and cat Maggie; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, from California to Maine, all of whom she loved dearly. After Lin’s passing, Sara was adopted, loved, and cared for by her neighbors, the McAlpine family, who have adopted Molly. Maggie has found a new home in Oregon with beloved nephew, Michael Rosen, and his wife Terri.
Sara worked in the Cheyenne school district for many years, first as an administration department assistant, then as a paraprofessional, and finally as a substitute teacher. Sara was a second ‘mom’ to many while working in the schools. Both Cindy and Mike remember seeing Sara in the halls of East High School and hearing countless others call her ‘Ma Baird.’ Sara made new friends everywhere, including the time she volunteered in the gift shop at the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, and especially as a greeter at the Davis Hospice Center, with her ‘partner-in-crime’ Billy Zumo. Sara was a strong-willed and feisty character, who was also fun-loving, good-hearted, and very generous. Over the years, she enjoyed camping at the Pickaroon campground on the North Platte river; family trips to Maine, staying at ‘camp’ and listening to the loons; cruising the world with Lin; trips to Estes Park; visiting her grandkids; playing with her ‘four leggers;’ knitting; and playing cribbage, usually skunking those who were brave enough to sit down to play a game with her.
Special thanks to everyone at the Davis Hospice Center who cared for Sara in her last days. She and her family felt much love from all the wonderful and giving people who work and volunteer there.
A celebration of life will take place at the Curt Gowdy State Park Amphitheater on Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 4:00 PM (dress is casual). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are welcome and appreciated, and can be sent in Sara’s name to the Davis Hospice Center, 6000 Sycamore Rd., Cheyenne