Wanita "Nita" Rose Baldwin

With heavy hearts, we announce the unexpected passing of Wanita "Nita" Rose (Hammond) Baldwin of Homer, NY, on the morning of Monday, July 20, 2026. Born on December 7, 1939, her childhood on the family farm instilled a lifelong appreciation for family, hard work, and the simple joys of life. She spent much of her life in McLean, NY, before settling in Homer, NY, a community she called home for her last 20 years.

Nita was the devoted mother of five children: William Baldwin of Solvay, Carol (Michael) Cotton of Hyde Park, James (Bonnie) Baldwin of Homer, Lori (Dean) Speer of Powder Springs, Georgia, and Kathleen (Matt) Dentes of Homer. Her family was the center of her world, and she found her greatest joy in watching it grow to include ten grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews. She remembered birthdays, made holidays magical, kept family traditions alive, and somehow always knew exactly what we needed before we did.

She is also survived by her siblings, Leonard Hammond of Dryden, James (Barbara) Hammond of Groton, and Ruby (Jim) Clark of Virgil. Nita was predeceased by her beloved husband of 28 years, Francis J. Baldwin; her parents, Burch and Mary Hammond; her brother Gordon and his wife Gwen Hammond; her sister, Margaret "Peggy" Hammond; and her sister-in-law, Eleanor Hammond.

Nita worked for Monarch before retiring from the Town of Dryden. Surpassing her career, her proudest accomplishment was building a home where everyone was welcome, where no one left hungry, and where love was shown through countless quiet acts of kindness. She gave remarkable handmade gifts: quilts stitched with love, crocheted blankets to keep others warm, something from her garden, and home-cooked meals. If you stopped by her house, you'd likely leave with a loaf of fresh homemade bread, a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies, or something she had crocheted or sewn just for you.

If she wasn't at home, she loved spending afternoons playing bridge, pitch, dominoes, Scrabble, and other games with family and friends, and she treasured every opportunity to travel and see new places. These activities let her touch her community, and she never met a stranger for long. Whether you were a lifelong friend, a neighbor, or someone she had just met, she had a way of making you feel like you belonged.

Much of her community was found through church. Her love of God was a steady foundation of her life, and her faith shaped how she loved and served others. Through God, she found strength as she faced life's greatest joys and deepest sorrows. When her husband passed, Nita showed us what courage and compassion looked like. Alongside her dearest friend, Cheri, she started a widows' group, building a community to support others in grief.

Many knew Nita as fiercely independent and determined, and her strength was fueled by her incredibly tender heart. She celebrated our victories, carried us through struggles, and loved each of us without condition. Her greatest legacy isn't found in the things she made, but in the people she loved.

We will see her in blooming gardens, in handmade quilts that warm our homes, in the smell of fresh bread from the oven, in a deck of cards gathered around the table, and in every act of kindness done without expecting anything in return. Although our hearts are broken, we are profoundly grateful for the 86 years we were blessed to share with her. Her love has shaped generations of our family, and it will continue to guide us in the years to come. We will miss her every day, but we find comfort knowing she is at peace and reunited with those who went before her. Until we meet again, we will carry her love with us always.

Family and friends will be welcomed at Perkins Funeral Home (55 W Main St, Dryden, NY 13053) on Monday, July 27, from noon to 1 PM. Funeral services will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to Good Days support for neurodegenerative retinal diseases (MyGoodDays.org/donate) or the Cortland County Office For Aging (60 Central Ave, Cortland, NY 13045).