Holly Peterson Doetschman

Holly Peterson Doetschman, aged 79, passed away on November 13, 2024, in Tucson, Arizona. She was born December 2, 1944, to John and Ruth (Gambrill) Peterson in Chicago.  She grew up in New Lennox and Aurora, Illinois, where she graduated from West Aurora High School in 1963.

Holly was united in marriage with Thomas Doetschman on September 10, 1966, in Aurora. Together Tom and Holly pursued a life of friends, travel, generosity and laughter. Holly enjoyed being with people above all and had endless curiosity. She was talented in all her hobbies, including embroidery, crocheting, knitting, making clothes, painting, glass etching, pottery, doll-making, interior design. Her family enjoyed most of her adventures in cooking.

Holly was a skilled organizer and book-keeper and worked at banks, freight companies and medical clinics. When the family lived in Europe, she learned German and spoke it with social confidence, enduring ridicule from her fluent teenaged daughters, and enriching lives with her attentive ear and her hilarious jabs. Visiting was Holly’s favorite activity, and even in her last years with dementia, she was sharp as a tack when she saw the opening for a joke. 

Many people outside her immediate family considered Holly a second mother. Her open arms and her gifts as a host left her family and friends with a wealth of memories and strong bonds. We will all miss her.

Holly is survived by her husband Thomas Doetschman; her four children Sarah Doetschman (Mike Koskey), Carey Doetschman (Laurie Milliken), Diane Ndisabiye (Guy-Noel Ntwari) and Beni Ndisabiye; her seven grandchildren Avery Ndisabiye, Isaak Koskey, Sasha Ndisabiye, Seth Koskey, Caleb Ntwari, Kyrie Ntwari and Solene Ntwari; her brother William Peterson; her step-sisters Carole Theesfeld and Robin Poling; and many siblings-in-law and nephews and nieces. She is preceded in death by her parents John Peterson, Ruth Kumlin and Howard Kumlin Sr, and her step-brother Howard Kumlin Jr.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Holly and Tom’s residence at 13907 E Langtry Ln, Tucson, on Saturday December 14th.