Jul 25, 2008   | COMMENTS     

Steven Matthew Pellerito, 34

Steven Pellerito died July 11 at his home in Bethesda. He was 34 and committed suicide after a long battle with depression.

Born June 27, 1974 in Rochester, Mich., Pellerito, who was gay, studied art history at the University of Michigan and graduated in 1995. He moved to Washington in 2000, where he worked for the past seven years as an office manager for the architectural and engineering firm Davidson and Associates. He recently established SMP Interiors, an interior design company that he hoped to grow into his main profession.

An avid long-distance cyclist, Pellerito had most notably completed the 560 miles Empire State AIDS Ride from Niagara Falls to New York City, raising more than $4,500 for AIDS research. He was also a skilled cook who enjoyed gathering his friends and family to eat elaborate meals.

Pellerito is survived by his partner of nine years, James Holm of Washingon; his parents, Paul and Lucy Pellerito, of Metamora, Mich.; his sister, Melissa Pellerito, of Carlsbad, Calif.; and his brother, Ryan Pellerito, sister-in-law, Bethany, and niece, Sophia, of Alma, Mich.

A memorial service will be held on Aug. 1 at 3:30 p.m. No location was available at press time. More information can be found by e-mailing James_Holm@msn.com. Memorial contributions may be made in Pellerito’s name to the NYC-DC AIDS Ride, P.O. Box 984, Planetarium Station, NY, or online at http://nycdc.kintera.org/spellerito.

Mary Susan Tara Baker, 52


Washington resident Mary Susan Tara Baker died July 4 of complications resulting from surgery. She was 52.

Born in Rockville on Feb. 21, 1956, Baker, a lesbian, lived in the Washington area her entire life. She worked as a waitress at Phase 1 in the late ’80s, and most recently was employed at Excel Drywall before retiring due to health reasons in 2005. An avid Atlanta Braves fan, Baker also enjoyed fishing, camping and the company of her friends.

“She never had a bad word to say to anybody, no one was a stranger to her,” says Baker’s partner Amy Shulse. “She was a very generous person, very giving. She was also a lot of fun to be with.”
In addition to Shulse, Baker is survived by her mother, Ruth Francis, and niece, Aimee Francis Carter, both of Bradenton, Fla.; brothers Patrick Baker of Woodsboro, Md. and James Baker of Woodbine, Md.

Memorial services will be announced. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alley Cat Allies, 7920 Norfolk Avenue, Ste., 600, Bethesda, MD, 20814.