Barbara Viley Deutsch

Barbara Viley Deutsch, 90, of Dixon, Ill., died Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, after receiving loving care at Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon.

Barbara was born Feb. 7, 1926, in Mondombe, Congo, Africa, and lived there until the age of 8. Daughter of medical missionaries Dr. Ernest and Evelyn (Utter) Pearson, she lived the values of her parents to serve others. She graduated from Denison University and went on to complete her master’s degree in social work at the University of Illinois. She devoted most of her life to helping others and worked as a social worker in Lee County School system for 25 years, prior to her retirement. Barbara cared deeply about the children and teens she worked with as patient listener and advocate. She was also an active member of her community whether serving her church (First Christian Church in Dixon), Habitat for Humanity, participating in parent groups at Kreider Services or working for peace and civil rights.

Barbara was an avid reader and attended two book clubs in her later years. On her way to hospice she made sure she had a book. Barbara passed on her love of family, nature, learning and a deep commitment to caring for others to her children and grandchildren for which they are eternally grateful.

Barbara is survived by her devoted husband of 65 years, William Deutsch of Harmon, Ill.; three daughters, Julie (Tom Prendergast) Deutsch of Dixon, Ill., Nancy (Richard Gross) Deutsch of San Francisco, Calif., Cathleen Deutsch of Dixon, Ill.; one son, Timothy (Jeanne) Deutsch of Newton; grandchildren, Timothy Prendergast, (Carolina Vidal), Bridget Prendergast, Zack Deutsch-Gross, John Deutsch, Anne Deutsch and Mark Deutsch; great-grandchildren, Tomas Prendergast and Santiago Prendergast. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Mary Emmert and Patricia Streid; and one brother, Dr. Paul Pearson.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 at First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Dixon, Ill., with Rev. Lynn Bond, officiating. Burial of cremains will be at Newton Union Cemetery at a later date. There will be a reception immediately following the memorial service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Global Ministries, The First Christian Church or Strong Kids program (Dixon Family YMCA). Condolences may be sent to www.prestonschillingfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are being completed by Preston-Schilling Funeral Home in Dixon.