July 12, 1915 — April 20, 2015

Dolores Mae Baird, “Dee Dee” 99, of Lakeshore Drive, Niles, went very peacefully to be with the Lord on Monday at 10:30 a.m., April 20, 2015 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana, following a brief illness.

She was born on July 12, 1915, in Michigan City, Indiana to Gustave and Carrie Ethel (Shaw) Fritz. Dolores was employed as a manager at Woolworth’s in Michigan City, where she met her future husband, Homer J. Baird “Jerry”.

On August 14, 1948 in South Bend, Indiana, she married Homer J. Baird, “Jerry” who preceded her in death on March 8, 2005.

She was also preceded in death by her sisters Viola Potter, Alice Forrester, and Anita Durnal; and her brothers Jeff and Leonard Fritz.

Surviving family includes her daughter Janet S. Craig and her son Thomas W. Baird, both of Niles; grandson Jeff Craig of South Bend and great-granddaughters Jillian and Malayna Craig.

She was a very special, beautiful lady. She had a big heart and was a very warm, loving, kind, gentle soul. She was loved by everyone that knew her. She loved her family and friends with all her heart. She especially enjoyed spending time with her two great-granddaughters Jillian and Malayna. Her eyes would light up so brightly when she would see them. They loved their great-grandma “Dee Dee” dearly. She lived a long life, setting a family record. Many more wonderful things could be said about her.

Dolores enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs, and she enjoyed playing Gin Rummy with her family, usually winning. She liked to read books, and also enjoyed listening to her favorite music, and she could sing, beautifully. She had a wonderful sense of humor. On sunny days in the summer at the lake front home on Barron Lake, she enjoyed pontooning with her family. She usually had her pet poodle with her also. “Dee Dee” and “Jerry” would sit on their porch overlooking Barron Lake, watching the activities and enjoying the beautiful sunsets. A wonderful friendly married couple of 57 years.

Dolores was a true blessing and everyone was blessed to have known her. She was/is a Christian/John 3:16. Now a resident in Heaven.

A Celebration of Life for Dolores Baird will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2015, at Hope Community Church in Niles, Michigan with the Rev. John A. Baird of Saint Joseph, Michigan officiating.

Contributions in memory of Dolores may be made to Hope Community Church.

Please send online condolences to www.halbritterfunerals.com Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.