Marilia Travessa Baker

Leave a Trail of Happiness

Obituary

This online tribute is in honor of beloved mother, wife, friend, and professional, Marilia Baker.
Her passing has left a deep hole in the hearts of those who loved her. That said, one of Marilia’s last wishes was to ‘leave a trail of happiness’. We invite you to take a moment to read, reflect, and contribute if you can.

Marilia was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil, by her mother, Angelica, and father, Diobel. Her brother Diobel, continues to live in Brazil with his family. Brazil remained an important part of Marilia throughout her life, even after she married American Michael Baker in 1967.

Their daughter, Arusha, was named after the vibrant city of Arusha, Tanzania, where Marilia and Michael worked briefly after their marriage. Fluent in more than six languages, Marilia’s early American career was as a translator for institutions including Harvard University and The United Nations. Her multilingualism reflected how much she wanted to understand people. She was genuinely interested in how others lived, thought, communicated, and made meaning of life.

But it was her work in later years as a family therapist that brought her the most joy.
In the words of her colleagues at the Milton H. Erickson Foundation in Phoenix:

“The Ericksonian community lost a beloved friend, colleague, teacher, and extraordinary connector with the passing of Marilia Baker, MSW, on August 4, 2026. Marilia was a meaningful presence within the Ericksonian community. One of her most lasting contributions was through her book, Tribute to Elizabeth Moore Erickson: Extraordinary Colleague, Wife, Mother, and Companion. Marilia illuminated Elizabeth “Betty” Erickson not simply as the wife of Milton H. Erickson, but as a remarkable woman, partner, mother, colleague, and contributor. This project reflected something fundamental about Marilia herself: she understood that no life exists in isolation. She recognized the ways families, relationships, communities, and cultures shape and strengthen individuals.”

Although Marilia’s legacy will live on in our memories, and through the things she loved and causes she cherished, we’d like to highlight one small detail for you to share: Marilia loved writing cards. She wrote them not only to close friends and family, but to Arusha’s friends and even Arusha’s laundry lady in New York City. There seemed to be no hierarchy determining who deserved her attention. If someone entered Marilia’s world, even briefly, she could find a reason to acknowledge them.

If you want to honor Marilia, take a moment to write or email a card to someone whose company you have enjoyed.

For a woman who spoke more than six languages, perhaps one of the languages she spoke most fluently required no translation at all: the language of human connection.  She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and carried forward through the lives and communities she so generously touched.

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YOur family would be grateful for any stories, thoughts, or images you would like to share on our "memory" section of this website. Click on the "charity" section to donate to a cause in Marilia's honor.

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