Dorothy Crystal Dean Petersen

Dorothy Crystal Dean Petersen - Entered into rest peacefully June 30, 2008 with her loving family at her bedside. Dorothy was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, Jacob "Jake""" Petersen. "" Resuming her teaching career, Dorothy also returned to her active social life that included her membership in the Petaluma Business and Professional Women's Club, Gamma Gamma Sorority, Petaluma Reading Circle and the Petaluma Methodist Church. A beloved and respected teacher of several generations of Petaluma students, Dorothy was invited to and attended many class reunions each year as a distinguished guest. She was always delighted to be recognized by former students and loved to tell the story about a former student who approached her on the sidewalk and asked, "Didn't you used to be Mrs. Petersen?""", to which she replied with a sly smile, """I still am.""" "" Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Ethel (Harford) Dean, siblings, Laurence Dean, Eleanor (Dean) Hansen and Marian (Dean) Pedroni. She is survived by her faithful cocker spaniel, "Taffy""", her caregiver, Vas and numerous nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service, Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. at the PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY & CREMATORY, 850 Keokuk St., Petaluma. Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 8, 2008 from 11:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the mortuary. Interment will be at Cypress Hill Memorial Park. The family prefers memorials be made to the Petaluma Educational Foundation or to the Petaluma Animal Shelter. "" Born in Ukiah on May 23, 1910, "Dot""" Dean moved with her family to Petaluma as a toddler. Dorothy attended local schools, graduating from Petaluma High, then entering the University of California at Berkeley, graduating with a BA degree. Returning to Petaluma, Dorothy began her career teaching in the local schools, finally becoming a fixture on the faculty of Petaluma High in the English Department.""