Dorothy P. Baby (Peterson)

SIOUX CITY -- Dorothy Peterson Baby, 83, of Sioux City passed away Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at Hallmark Care Center, surrounded by family and friends, following a lengthy illness.

Memorial services will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. Mark Jenkins of the New Hope Wesleyan Church officiating. Dorothy is to be cremated as per her wishes.

Dorothy, one of five children, was born on Nov. 6, 1926, in the Leeds area of Sioux City. She was the daughter of George B. and Gladys (Shoemaker) Peterson. Dorothy spent a part of her life in New Jersey, where she married her husband, Joseph J. Baby on Feb. 14, 1960, and they raised a family, but she never lost her love for Sioux City or the Midwest. Joseph died on May 4, 1992, in Sioux City.

Dorothy was a special human being, who had a very trusting heart. She was charitable and willing to help others in need. She loved her family, Jesus, Elvis and country and gospel music. She also loved writing, drawing, decorating her apartment and telling stories. Visiting via letters with her beloved niece, "Barbie," was one of her favorite pastimes.

She is survived by her daughter, Mimi and her husband, Al Ten Kate and their son, William "Billy Angel," all of Sioux City; her son, Joseph "Joey" Babij of Sioux City and his sons, Little Joey of New Jersey, and Brandon of Sioux City, and their mother, Gina of New Jersey; her brother and sisters, George Peterson of Sioux City, Athena Drain of Washington, Iowa, Mary Griesi of Sioux City, and Violet Bard of Orange, Texas; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents.