Elsie L. Baer died peacefully on April 20 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital with her daughters by her side. She was 92.

She was born on May 27, 1930 in Fitchburg to John Emil Laurila and Elsie Rantanem, both of whom immigrated from Finland at the age of 16. Elsie spoke Finnish fluently as a second language.

She graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1947 and pursued her childhood dream of becoming a registered nurse. While in Boston to train as a nurse, she met her future husband Harold, a student at Boston University Law School, on a blind date. They married in 1955 and had two daughters, Cynthia and Carolyn. They resided in Rhode Island and spent many wonderful years motoring up and down the Atlantic seacoast with extended family on their boat.

Elsie loved being a nurse and held positions as charge nurse in emergency and surgical departments at Cranston General Hospital in Rhode Island, When her husband retired in 1985, they moved to Martha’s Vineyard and built a retirement home in Chilmark. Elsie continued to work as a registered nurse and also for the Edgartown Council on Aging. In addition, she volunteered for Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard and Martha’s Vineyard Community Services. She “officially” retired at the age of 80.

She and Harold thoroughly enjoyed their retirement years on the Vineyard and they made many friends. They especially loved going to Menemsha for seafood dinners at sunset. Elsie will always be remembered for her positive outlook; she so often told many people that she had a wonderful life.

Elsie is survived her her daughters, Cynthia D. Baer and Carolyn W. Baer. She was predeceased by her husband Harold A. Baer and brother, John Emil Laurila Jr.

Her family offers a special thank you to Joann Vermette, her caregiver for the last two years. Elsie loved her Tuesday lunches with Joann at the Plane View restaurant and the leisurely afternoons exploring the Island by car, as if seeing it again for the first time.

Memorial services are being held privately.