'Toughest Person I Ever Met:' Virginia Teacher Battling Brain Cancer Dies Surrounded By Family

A beloved elementary school teacher in Virginia died following a courageous fight with an extremely aggressive brain cancer.

Kerry Baker, a music teacher at Frances Hazel Reid Elementary  - and mother of three daughters - passed away this week after being diagnosed with Glioblastoma, a rare disorder that typically impacts older patients.

Earlier this year, a GoFundMe campaign was started on behalf of the family, which has gained more steam following the educator's death.

Organizers of the fundraiser made note that Baker and her family has served the Loudoun County Public Schools system for nearly three decades, with her husband teaching in the district and her daughters also becoming educators locally and elsewhere.

According to her family, Baker began having headaches in August 2022, though she continued to work through the summer in advance of the upcoming school year until she was plagued by vision issued and took herself to a doctor for further evaluation.

It was there that an MRI revealed her true malady, and Baker was admitted to the hospital, where she underwent brain surgery to remove a "softball-sized tumor," which led to months of radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

Baker continued to death during her treatment, which went on for the better part of a year.

"Kerry is extremely dedicated to her job, our students, our community, and her faith," Anthony Rotonto said, adding that she was an active leader at her church, even after her diagnosis, leading the praise band, which included her husband and daughters.

In early September, Baker was taken into Hospice care, where she was was in and out of treatments until her death.

On Tuesday, Sept. 25, loved ones confirmed that Baker had died after her courageous battle.

"As I'm sure most of you have heard, sadly, Kerry passed away peacefully surrounded by her family," they said. "The Bakers wish to express their gratitude to each and everyone of you for all the support these last two years."

No information about a service date has been announced.

"I have never met anyone that has impressed me with her strength to get through this fight more than Kerry," Rotonto added. "I have seen the toll this has taken on her, and yet she showed up to work every single day to love, teach and support our kids at FHR and her family.

"She might be the toughest person I’ve ever met."

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