Amy Baldinger entered the hospital on August 21st with complications from cancer. She was surrounded by family and friends during her time there and passed away on September 3, 2025. She was 65 years old.
Amy first came to Vashon Island in 1987. Some say she was stowed in the trunk of a car, bursting forth into an undisclosed and un-permitted construction site to great fanfare. Introductions were made all around and then she was sent up a ladder, hammer in hand, to join in the mayhem.
Others say her first visit was more dignified.
A trip from her home in New York City to visit an old friend who took her for a ferry ride and escorted her upstairs to stand in the sunny breeze and admire the splendid view, the mountains, the Salish Sea and their very green destination, Vashon Island. Once they arrived, a great tour was conducted to introduce Amy to the reckless band of lesbian miscreants that had carved out a community within the anything goes island community at large. Women who would be her friends for life.
Whichever is the true account of her first island visit, it is universally held that she fell in love with everything, immediately.
Amy moved to the island from her apartment in Manhattan in 1988. She embraced every aspect of rural living with passion. Poorly insulated housing, outdoor peeing, community dog packs, women’s softball, unreliable automobiles, the vagaries of wood heating, power outages and DIY everything. She was an accomplished and dedicated wood splitter to the end.
Amy met Caroline Nelson in 1994, and after they built their dream home, their thoughts naturally turned to starting a family. When they welcomed their beautiful son Daniel in 2005 their world expanded to include mom groups, play dates, sports teams and the friendships that came with them. Amy embraced each new stage with curiosity and joy, fully immersing herself in motherhood and raising their son with love and pride.
Even after their separation, Amy and Caroline continued to see themselves as family, nurturing Daniel together with care, respect, and unwavering support. With Caroline, Dina, and Emily by his side, Danny has been blessed with a family that surrounds him with love, guidance, and devotion.
When she began looking for a new job that would allow her more time with her son, Amy returned to the love of music she had developed at Bard College where she majored in Music Composition. She learned piano tuning and, as with all her pursuits, Amy was eager to master the craft, finding the best teacher available and studying every aspect of piano tuning and repair. Bit by bit she honed her skills and developed a loyal following.
Amy met Emily Belshaw through a mutual friend. They each had a young child and shared a great appreciation of music. It was a winning combination. Their love of music led to involvement with the Vashon Opera and the Vashon Chorale. They were married in 2015 and together they created a big, warm, loving family circle for their sons Danny and Florian, embracing friends and the extended Belshaw and Baldinger families.
Amy loved travel and had many travel adventures with friends, mountain biking, kayaking and skiing. She was especially grateful that her health allowed her to undertake a whirlwind European tour with her wife, Emily, and her very close friends, Diane and Doreen, only weeks before she passed.
Amy was pre-deceased by her father Daniel. She has left behind her wife and true love Emily, her sons Daniel and Florian, her mother Myrna, her siblings Scott, Gregg and Joa, her dog Maisy and a multitude of friends who will miss her terribly. Amy was a gift to all of us.
A memorial service for Amy Baldinger will be held on October 19, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. in the Vashon Center for the Arts atrium. We welcome those who knew and loved Amy to join us in remembering her life.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Vashon Household or Vashon Center for the Arts.
