Maria Franziska Baum

September 7, 1929 - September 13, 2016

Maria Franziska Baum, 87, died September 13, 2016 in Napa, California. She was born on September 7, 1929 in Heidelberg, Germany. After the ending of World War II she met a young American soldier, Joseph T.L. Young. After a friendship of a few years they were married on December 4, 1948 in Heidelberg. She left Germany as a young bride on December 15, 1948 transiting the Panama Canal on her way to the Territory of Hawaii. With her husband Joseph, she gave birth to Sylvia and Vernon in Hawaii. Maria had an adventurous spirit and thrived as a young wife in a military family. They were able to live in Germany twice where she was able to immerse in life with her relatives in Heidelberg. There were many happy times visiting the sites of Germany. Maria later married Robert Mooney and resided in Silver Spring, Maryland. She held a position at a manufacturing company. To further her education she took business courses and moved up the ladder to a management position at a large credit company where she retired after many years of service. Later in life she met and married Irving Baum and together they moved to Napa Valley, California. She enjoyed travel, reading, crafting and volunteer activities. A great source of joy was creating oil paintings and gifting them to her family. Maria was predeceased last year by her husband of 35 years, Irving Baum. She is survived by her daughter Sylvia K. Kerr(Ronald), son Vernon D. Young(Yolanda), half-brother, Manfred Speth(Gerti) residing in Germany, grandchildren, Nate, Tessa, Carrie, and Reggie; 2 great grandchildren, Ethan and Erick. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 11:00 am at Claffey and Rota Funeral Home, 1975 Main St., Napa, CA 94559. Burial will take place at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, CA also on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 2:30pm.