Dorothy Reeve

Dorothy Baker Reeve died on April 11, at home in Chico, supported by her loved ones. She was 89. A Chico resident for the last 54 years, Dorothy taught elementary students in the Chico Unified School District for over 20 years, and also worked as a reading specialist for the district. Many of her former students will remember her as "Mrs. Baker". Dorothy is survived by her six children and three stepchildren: Connie Cashdollar, Melissa Baker, Susan Taylor, Marc (Buzz) Baker, Joseph Baker, Cynthia Duffy, Carter Reeve, Todd Reeve, and Cameron Ragsdale. She will also be missed by her granchildren, great-grandchildren, and many other family members. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Reeve. Dorothy was a joyful woman who jumped wholeheartedly into life. As a young person she developed a passion for education, both for herself and as a career. She taught elementary school in Marysville and Hayward before establishing her long career with CUSD. She belonged to the League of Women Voters, the Sigma Kappa sorority, and volunteered with the Literacy Council after she retired. She loved to read and play bridge, but was also eager to get outside where she would swim, bike, snow ski, take long walks, and sail. She and George were active in the Chico Yacht Club and in 1976 they sailed and towed the "Y-Not Twice" , their 23-foot Aquarius, on a 14-month trip around the United States. Dorothy wrote a book about their adventures. Later they made two sea voyages from Prince Rupert through the Alaska Inside Passage, going as far north as Glacier Bay. She was a passionate world traveler, visiting Russia, China, Yugoslavia, and many countries in Europe. Closer to home, you might have seen Dorothy as a volunteer for Park Watch or at The Cancer Shop, participating in the Relay for Life, or maybe just walking briskly through Bidwell Park. She always took time to enjoy the children, dogs, colorful fall leaves and spring flowers, but pausing long enough to pick up bits of trash to put in the cans. A celebration of Dorothy's life will be held at the Campfire Council ring in Lower Bidwell Park, at 5:30 pm on May 3. Bring hot dogs to roast, and there will be fixings for S'mores. The family suggests that any donations in her name be made to Friends of the Library or the Chico Literacy Council. Dorothy liked to say, "It is up to all of us to leave the world a little bit better than we found it." Thank you Dorothy, you did.