Obituary

Marion Holz Baer, 94, died peacefully in her home in Charleston, West Virginia, on April 17, 2025, surrounded by her family.

She was born to Hildegard and Helmut Holz in Berlin, Germany, in 1930. They immigrated to America in 1933, after Hitler’s rise to power, first, settling in Tarboro, North Carolina.

Marion was later raised in Charleston and attended Lincoln Junior and Stonewall Jackson High School. She graduated from Gulf Park Junior College where she studied Interior Design, and attended Goucher College, Baltimore, Maryland.

Marion married the love of her life, Frank A. Baer II, in 1951 and they had 60 years of blissful marriage together.

Frank and Marion enjoyed traveling, being with family and friends, as well as being heavily involved in the Charleston community, attending Symphony and Clay Center events and many charitable functions.

Marion was passionate about making a difference in the world and her community. Losing family members in the Holocaust made Marion highly aware of “Tikun Olam, repairing the earth, and making one’s community better than when she found it.”

She believed all faiths should work together. She was a founder of the Kanawha Valley Interfaith Council with which she was involved for over 50 years.

She worked tirelessly for the underprivileged. As a volunteer project director for Women in Community Service (WICS), she interviewed women in our mountain communities to apply for vocational training at the Job Corps in Charleston.

She believed in public education. She was involved in Kanawha County Schools as a substitute teacher and as chairperson for Career Days. In 1966, Marion received the Sunday Gazette-Mail “Woman of the Year Award” for selfless service to the community.

Faith was important to her. She was local President of the National Council of Jewish Women in Charleston and was President of Temple Israel Sisterhood.

She received the Hannah Soloman Award for her community service to young people from the National Council of Jewish Women.

Marion loved and was active in the Arts in Charleston.

She was Vice President of Sunrise Museum, where she was involved for many years. She was a volunteer for Appalachian Corridors, bringing the best art from the Appalachian region to Charleston. She served as an Art Docent at Sunrise and later at the Clay Center.

As a board member for Fund for the Arts for many years, Marion was the representative for the Charleston Youth Symphony and the Charleston Ballet.

The Gazette-Mail said of Marion, “This selfless humble woman has exhibited great leadership and the ability to serve her fellow man. Her patience and active concern improved the lives of those less fortunate. With the love of mankind above self, Marion Baer is untiring in her help to others in the areas of culture and better schools and makes Charleston a finer community and society.”

Marion, along with her husband, Frank, had many happy years enjoying their children and grandchildren. They especially enjoyed spending time in Camden, Maine, where they loved “where the mountains met the sea” and the art culture found there.

Marion is survived by her three children, Barrie Kaufman (Tod) of Charleston, Barbara Baer Dan (Ray) of Memphis, Tennessee, and Frank A. Baer III (Camilla) of Charleston.

Also surviving are eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, Charles Adler Dan (Abby), Hildy and George Dan, Barry Adam Dan (Jackie), Layla and Miles Dan, Paula Lyn Kaufman, Caroline Rose Kaufman, Sophia Marion Kaufman, Frank A. Baer IV, Elisa Jeanne Elisabeth Baer and Oliver Isac Baer.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Temple Israel, 2312 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, with a luncheon served immediately afterwards.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Charleston Public Library, The Charleston Symphony, the Clay Center, the Kanawha Hospice Care or the charity of your choice.

The family wants to extend particular appreciation to Mrs. Baer’s dedicated and loving caregivers: Shari, Theresa, Brittany, Kista, Jeanetta, Connie, Tanya and several others who helped us over the years.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.