Nancy Bakaitis Obituary

Nancy Susan Bakaitis

(Nancy) Susan Bakaitis, 83, a longtime resident of Findlay and, more recently, of Dublin, passed away Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, with her daughters by her side.

Susan was born Nov. 26, 1940, to Charles and Jean (Weekly) Martin in Wheeling, West Virginia. Although she went on to spend the majority of her childhood and teenage years in Norwalk, she maintained an immense love for the beauty of West Virginia and was always proud of her West Virginia heritage.

Susan was an incredible intellect. After graduating from Norwalk High School in 1958, she attended Case Western Reserve University's Mather College and got her BS degree from Kent State University. She received National Science Foundation scholarships and a full-tuition scholarship for her MA and PhD studies in biology and chemistry at Bowling Green State University. Early in her career, she taught science for Arcadia Local Schools. As a PhD biological chemist, she was a full professor of Chemistry and also taught various biology, physics, and statistics courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, full-time at The University of Findlay and part-time at other institutions of higher learning. She later served as Dean of Graduate Studies and Strategic Planning at The University of Findlay, followed by Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Newberry College, South Carolina, and then at Salem International University, Salem, West Virginia, from which she retired.

While she broke glass ceilings in her career, she was also the loving wife to Arthur J. Bakaitis, whom she met at Case Western Reserve and married in 1962. They built and spent the majority of their married life in Findlay, where they raised two daughters, had many friends, and were active in numerous professional, church, and civic groups and clubs. A few of the many organizations Susan was involved with included AAUW, Beacons Club, Hancock Historical Museum, Fort Findlay Daughters of the American Revolution, and Symposium. She was also a long-time supporter of the Fort Findlay Playhouse.

Susan was an experienced traveler, a talented artist, and a gifted writer. She kept a beautiful home and was an incredible cook. She also excelled at the art of letter writing and was faithful in corresponding with family and friends. Susan was quick-witted and strong-minded, and she was firm in her faith and her convictions. She was a doer and a fixer, both professionally and in her personal life. She was incredibly loving, thoughtful, and generous, and she quietly touched the lives of many people. In her heart, she always wanted the best for everyone. She would readily extend an encouraging word and her hand with the hope of lifting up others and making things better or easier for them.

Susan is survived by her daughter Elizabeth A. Bakaitis and grandchildren Leo and Ava Bakaitis of Dublin and by her daughter and son-in-law Gail and Bryan DeWolf of Hilliard, and grandchildren Nicholas (Lauren) DeWolf, England, United Kingdom, and Rachel (Lorenz) Metz, Cincinnati, all of whom she was immensely proud. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Patricia Bakaitis, Cleveland; nine nieces and nephews; many great-nephews and nieces; and a great-great-niece.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Art Bakaitis; her parents, Charles and Jean Martin; and her sister, Sara (David) Boos.

In honor of Susan's memory, and in lieu of flowers, her daughters request that some act of kindness or help be extended toward another.

Visitation will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at St. Paul's Church, 218 E. Sandusky Street, Findlay, Ohio, with the memorial service immediately following at 11:30 a.m. After the service, friends who wish to join the family at Van Horn Cemetery for the internment are welcomed to do so.

Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home, 500 Lima Ave., Findlay, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.kirkpatrickbehnke.com.