Elizabeth G. “Betty’’ Baker, the mother of Governor Charlie Baker, died Saturday at a facility in Needham after a long illness, according to a spokesman for the governor’s office. She was 83.

Mrs. Baker, born on December 24, 1932, in Rochester, Minn., was the daughter of Ralph and Jean Ghormley. She graduated from Wellesley College in 1954, and the next year she married Charles D. Baker and settled in Needham.

“Rest In Peace mom,’’ the governor wrote in a Facebook post Saturday night. “You raised three boys, along with tons of other kids from around the neighborhood (and some outside of it too), and along with Dad, taught everyone about life, love, service and sacrifice. God Bless.’’

Mrs. Baker’s family said she worked for many organizations, including Metco, the Career and Volunteer Advisory Service, Family Services of Greater Boston, and the Voluntary Action Center.

She was a liberal Democrat happily married to a conservative Republican, and together they raised three sons in a home filled with family, friends, and lively dinner conversations over the issues of the day. She was a voracious reader, a prolific letter writer, and a one-time head of Christian education at a Congregational church.

Governor Baker recalled his mother’s indefatigable spirit shortly before his inauguration in 2015. She had always encouraged her children to pick themselves up after a loss.

When Baker was elected governor the year before, after losing a prior election to then-governor Deval Patrick, he lamented that his mother would not be able to attend his inaugural because of the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease.

“I am my mother’s son,’’ Baker said in 2015, “She knew for a long time that this was something that was important to me. It’s hugely disappointing that she doesn’t know I took a second shot at it, and it worked.’’

Earlier this month, Baker recalled his mother in an emotional speech at a college commencement ceremony on Mother’s Day.

The governor fought tears as he recalled her battle with Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia that worsens over time. He said “mom never complained’’ as the symptoms took hold.

Besides her husband of 61 years and her son Charlie, she leaves two other sons, Jonathan and Alex, and five grandchildren.

Services will be private and a memorial of her life is planned for mid-June.

Maria Sacchetti can be reached at maria.sacchetti@globe.com.