She was a second generation member of the family that established the Baxters food processing company, based in Fochabers, Moray.
[1][2] Baxter was born in Roseisle, Moray, the daughter of a farmer, Andrew Adam, and his wife Elizabeth Farquar.
[1][2] Initially a nurse, Baxter joined her husband in business, and in 1916 they opened a factory near the River Spey to make preserves from locally sourced products.
[1][2] Baxter's guidance ensured that the product range widened to include soups and canned and bottled fruits.
[4] Her husband travelled widely, promoting the products, and the couple eventually began selling to customers in London, America and throughout the British Empire, including the royal household itself.