BOSTIC, N.C. - Luella Jean (Baker) Kye, 79, of Bostic, N.C., and formerly of Sinclairville, N.Y., died Friday, May 25, 2012, at Hospice of Rutherford County. She was the daughter of the late Floyd and Lucille (Sadowski) Baker.
She was born Oct. 17, 1932, in Stockton, N.Y., and graduated from Cassadaga Valley Central High School, class of 1950. She retired from the New York State Thruway Authority after 22 years of service.
She was a catcher for the all-women's softball semi-pro team Koch's Annies, from 1949-53. She gained fame in 1961 by becoming the first female umpire east of the Mississippi, umpiring baseball and softball for over 20 years. She was inducted into the Chautauqua County Umpires Association Hall of Fame in 1987. She also coached, organized leagues and conducted coaches clinics in Chautauqua and Erie counties. When the Babe Ruth Baseball league started girls' softball, she was instrumental in introducing Babe Ruth softball to the Chautauqua County girls' leagues. In 1987, she coached the champion 13-15-year-old Chautauqua County All-Stars in the regional playoffs in Buffalo. The team advanced to the Mid-Atlantic Regionals in Edison, N.J., where the team placed third. In 1993, she was inducted into the Western New York Softball Hall of Fame.
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Luella Jean Kye
She was a member of the Chautauqua County Baseball Umpires Association, Chautauqua County Soft-ball Umpires Association, Cassadaga American Legion Auxiliary, and Rutherford County Women of the Moose.
During the last few years, she worked as a volunteer as a guardian ad litem, acting as an advocate in court for more than 70 children who were taken into custody by the Department of Social Services. In her spare time she knitted many caps for newborns in the neonatal unit of local hospitals. She also volunteered for many years for Trooper Toys for Tots in Fredonia. She enjoyed playing cards, traveling on cruises, working jigsaw puzzles and working in the yard. Her favorite pastime was visiting and talking to family and friends.
She is survived by two daughters, Terry Kye of Fredonia, and Cheryl (James) Muscato of Madison, Ohio; two granddaughters, Kristen (Nick) Martin of Perry, Ohio, and Jamie Muscato of Willoughby, Ohio; one great-grandson, Ethan Martin; two brothers, Robert Baker of Bostic, N.C., and Willi-am (Carol) Baker of Cassadaga; and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by longtime friend, Mary Ann Sands.
As per her wishes, there will be no memorial service. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association or to your local hospice.