Mary Ina Baden

Mary Ina Baden, 85, passed peacefully on September 8, 2026, at Hospice House of Bradenton surrounded by loving family. Affectionately known as Niny to all who loved her, she always greeted you with “Hey, Darlin’” and a hug and kiss. She never missed an opportunity to say “I love you.” Her life was rich with love and connections to family and friends, and she was grateful for it every day. She touched the lives of so many with her gregarious, outgoing nature. She had the ability to connect with just about anyone. She somehow always made you feel like you were her favorite; she frequently told each of us, “I’m the president of your fan club.”

Ina was born at home in Bradenton, Florida, on September 21, 1940. She graduated from Manatee High School in 1958, and she was proud to recite the motto “Always ready, never late. We’re the class of ’58!” She was a member of the drill team and had many beloved classmates and friendships that continued throughout her life. She was an LPN, worked at Manatee Memorial Hospital, and later Manatee Blood Bank, where she was adored by staff and donors alike. She got her CDL, launched the mobile bus donation program and drove the bus around town to make donating blood more accessible. She was passionate about educating on the importance of blood donation. She also worked in home health care, volunteered at Hospice House, and later spent many happy years working at Palma Sola Botanical Park.

Ina had many hobbies over the years. She enjoyed the shells she collected from all over the world, and loved showing off her prized rose garden. She was always taking pictures and loved looking through her thousands of treasured photos. She learned to play the piano and continued playing throughout her life. She had a fearless and adventurous spirit; she traveled to almost every continent, was a scuba diver, loved horseback riding and taking road trips on her big Harley. One of her claims to fame was that she went to an Elvis concert as a teen and he kissed her. She loved to tell this story. Her later years were spent walking the Desoto Monument with her brother, Nickie, playing with her great-grandchildren, spending time with family, reading, and beating all her opponents at online Scrabble.

She was predeceased by her parents, Earl Walter Baden, Sr. and Daisy Baden, and her daughter, Jennifer Jones. She is lovingly remembered by her brother, Earl Walter “Nick” Baden, and sister-in-law Ina Baden; daughters, Katrina Roehl, Shannon DeChelbor, Camille Rondeaux (Lionel), and son, Todd Chapman (Tamara); nieces Holley Baden Perez (Greg) and Heather Baden Wallace (Dan); grandchildren, Austin Roehl (Rachel), Taylor Blackwell (Adam Sears), Nick Roehl (Denise), Ben DeChelbor (Jordan), Nate DeChelbor (Langston), Luke DeChelbor, Lilliana Chapman, and Liam Rondeaux; great-nephews, Baden Wallace, Brock Wallace, Landon Perez, and Will Perez. Her great-grandchildren Kinsley, Betsy, Corbin, Palmer, Raelynn, Daisy, and Reni brought her immense joy. She enjoyed a very large circle of extended family and friends.

Niny always had her bed made with beautiful white bedding. Throughout our lives, any time we were sad, scared, overwhelmed, or even had joyous news, she would say “Come get in the white bed,” and we did. The white bed was a sanctuary for generations of those who loved her. She was the caretaker for everyone and the go-to for all problems. In a crisis, you called Niny, and you knew everything would be okay.

Darlin’ Niny, we love you so much. Rest easy in the white bed.

As we mourn her loss, we also joyously remember her loving and vibrant spirit. Please join us to celebrate her life at Palma Sola Botanical Park on Sunday, September 20th, from 3-6 p.m., 9800 17th Ave. NW, Bradenton, FL 34209. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Palma Sola Botanical Park (palmasolabp.org/donate).

Memories and condolances may be shared at www.shannonfuneralhomes.com