Deborah Marsh Baldridge

Deborah Marsh Baldridge died peacefully at the age of 78 on May 13, 2026 of complications from Alzheimer’s. To those who knew her, Deb was a positive and unconditionally loving person, an innovative educator, a community activist and a skilled sailor. She will be deeply missed by her life partner Amy Baker, her family and friends, her many godchildren as well as her community.

Deb was born in Savannah, Georgia on December 3, 1947, the daughter of Betty McIntosh Baldridge and Ralph Bayard Baldridge, II. Her mother was a passionate sailor who took the children out on the water frequently which led to Deb’s lifetime passion for being on the water. In Grades 3-12 she lived in Wisconsin while spending all Summers in Savannah.

She was brilliant in math, her major at the University of Georgia. Her master’s at the University of South Carolina was in Education. An adventurous traveler, she explored the world with joy and an open mind. Biking through Japan, exploring Russia, Nepal, Kenya, Europe and Scotland and many more countries. Deb lived in Boulder, Colorado for several years (as a central jump off point for her special nationwide tribal teaching) where she enjoyed hiking and snowboarding in the Rocky Mountains. She spent winters on board her beloved boat Ooh La La and summers hiking near her home “Aerie” in the North Georgia mountains.

Deb always enjoyed her work. Southern Railway hired her right out of college as their first comptroller/data processor in the new era of computers. After a few years Deb found the love of teaching through Emory University using Discovery Learning methods, a SEED government-funded program for inner city schools that focused on learning through unique personal experiences. Her creative teaching methods were noticed by the National Science Foundation in Washington DC, and a representative reached out to Deb to ask if she would work with over 50 Native American tribes across the country. Recognizing that teaching the Native American youth needed a different approach because they were taught to respect and never contradict their elders, she took on the assignment of instructing math to the teachers in the tribes. Deb inspired all the teachers and students to love their jobs and love learning. The job lasted for 20 years with many mutually enriching experiences and accolades from the academic world.

An unselfish daughter and sister, she moved to Texas in the mid 1970’s for a short while and rented an apartment for herself and her younger sister Jane so that Jane could attend a good school there to study art. Today Jane is an accomplished artist. Deb, also gifted in the arts, kept journals throughout her adult lifetime. Many entries were poems written in iambic pentameter. She would stroll along a beach or street in the morning and later write down the poem she had composed while on her walk.

After retiring, Deb moved back to Hilton Head, SC to care for her father. While living there she started the S.C. Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program at Windmill Harbor. As an inspiring teacher, she applied the principles of Discovery Learning and taught skills for life including teamwork, preparation, and thinking ahead to anticipate challenges. She was loved and respected by her students and made profound contributions to their lives beyond the skills of sailing. Through her own example, she encouraged generosity, bravery, compassion, discipline, the competitive spirit all with graciousness and gratefulness.

Wherever she lived, she devoted her time and talents to improving her community. No story demonstrates that better than when Deb was a board member of a nonprofit charity aiding children-in-need. The organization wanted to send a donated wheelchair to a youth in Nepal, and there was justified concern that the wheelchair would be stolen if shipped. Deb hopped in the wheelchair at the airport, boarded the airplane as a disabled passenger, met the needy child at the gate in Nepal delivering the much-appreciated wheelchair in person.

On Hilton Head, she helped start and organize the All Saints Episcopal Church that supported same sex relationships and women as ordained ministers. An active member, she served as Senior Warden; the church grew quickly into the solid congregation it is today.

Deb and Amy, her partner, a boat captain, grew up together; their mothers were good friends. They reconnected after her retirement in 2006 when they delivered a boat to Puerto Rico. From that time on, they were inseparable for the next 18 years. Deb worked as First Mate having adventures from the Caribbean to Maine aboard many private yachts while handling the itineraries for the owners. At each port, she organized their activities so that they could experience the best sites and enjoy the boating life. Many of these adventures were shared with Amy’s brother, Chef Johnny Baker, life-long friends.

She is survived by her life partner Amy Baker, two sisters Elizabeth Baldridge Egan (Bill) and Jane Lawton Baldridge Fisher (Jeff), a brother Ralph Bayard (By) Baldridge lll, Daisy Ashburn, nephews, Jason Cook (Brittany and children), Robby Baldridge and Reed Baldridge (Madeline), the entire Savannah McIntosh clan including her first cousin Julie McIntosh. In their teenage years, Deb and Julie were joined by Emily Walker Fernandez, Bette Cay Hines, and Anne Lattimore Janas to form a tight and loving group of friends who have remained in close touch their whole lives.

A private family gathering is planned to celebrate Debbie’s life. Her family wishes to acknowledge and thank the loving caregivers at Spanish Oaks Alzheimer Retreat for the excellent, compassionate care she received while living there.

Remembrances can be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, P. O. Box 579, Copperhill, Tennessee 37317.