Winifred Juliet Babbitt

She was born December 5, 1922, in Peoria to Julius and Genevieve (Johnson) Thulin. She married John H. Babbitt, Jr., June 19, 1948. They were married for nearly 49 years before John passed away in 1997. She was also preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Virginia (Thulin) Miller, one brother-in-law, Dwight L. Miller, one sister-in-law, Priscilla W. Babbitt, and one son-in-law, Mark A. Peterson.

Survivors include three children: Juliet C. Peterson of Whitefish Bay, WI, Jean B. (James) Ashton of Peoria, and Cynthia V. (Kevin) Pirok of Elburn, IL, and five grandchildren: Leah S. Peterson Sisler (Sean Sisler) and their children, Parker and Lily, of St. Paul, MN, Daniel A. Peterson (Yelizaveta Strakhov) and their daughter, Zoe, of Milwaukee, WI, Christopher J. Ashton of Austin, TX, Timothy J. Ashton of St. Paul, MN, and Stephanie J. Ashton of Peoria. She is also survived by one niece and one nephew.

Juliet graduated from Peoria High School in 1940 and Bradley Polytechnic Institute in 1944, where she was a member of Delta Kappa sorority, later joining Chi Omega Fraternity.

Juliet worked at the library while she was a student at Bradley. Following graduation, she worked at the library at the Research Department at Caterpillar Tractor Co. for several years. After she got married, she became a full-time housewife and mother.

Juliet was active for many years in the local Chi Omega Alumnae and Panhellenic organizations. She and her husband John were active in the Peoria Color Shooters Club, the Central Illinois Hosta Society, and the Peoria Astronomical Society. She was also a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers Wives and the African Violet Society.

Juliet and John traveled widely, including camping road trips to California, New York, Florida, and the Canadian Rockies. Later, they traveled internationally to Europe and China.

Juliet played bridge in several neighborhood bridge groups. She enjoyed sewing, making many of the clothes for herself and her three daughters. She enjoyed gardening and feeding the birds and squirrels in her backyard. She also enjoyed her many pets over the years, including cats, dogs, parakeets, fish, and turtles.

She was a Girl Scout leader and volunteered with Meals on Wheels.

Juliet was a life-long member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Peoria. She served as deaconess, chairman of the Cradle Roll committee, and on the Gretchen B. Iben committee.

Juliet’s family is extremely grateful to the home care team from Comfort Keepers, whose assistance enabled her to live at home up through age 102. They are also appreciative of the kind and loving care that she received from the staff at Proctor Place.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 11, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Peoria. The Rev. Anna Saxon will officiate. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, July 10, at Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home, and one hour before the service at the church. Burial will be at Springdale Cemetery.

Family and friends are invited to wear something turquoise, if they so choose, in memory of Juliet, as that was her favorite color.

Memorial donations may be made to her church, Shriners Hospitals for Children, or the charity of your choice.

Condolences and tributes may be made through the funeral home at Woolsey-Wilton.com