Who is Aunt Patty from Getting near to Baby and what is their importance?

When Willa Jo's baby sister, called Baby by her family, dies suddenly, Aunt Patty travels to her sister's house to help. Noreen is devastated and suffering from unbearable grief. To help her younger sister, Patty offers to take her two nieces, Willa Jo and Little Sister, back with her for a temporary stay. Although Noreen at first is not keen on the idea, Patty convinces her that having time alone without the responsibility of two young girls will give her the space and time she needs for healing. Patty loves her sister and her nieces and is heartbroken by the loss of the youngest child.