Dorothea James Baxter

On Tuesday, February 24th, 2026, in Gainesville, Florida, Dottie Baxter passed away peacefully with her family at her side. She will be forever remembered as a talented and dedicated Violinist, Mother, Friend, Teacher and Mentor to young and aspiring musicians.
Dottie was born Dorothea Fai James in Mt. Dora, Florida in 1935 and was raised in Florida and Alabama by Perry B. James, a Methodist pastor, and Daisy Fai Killian James, an organist and singer. She received a bachelor’s degree from Athens College (now Athens State) in Athens, Alabama, where her father was college President, and then to Florida State University where she earned her Master of Music degree. She later attended the University of Maryland for post-graduate music performance. She was an accomplished violinist (often “first chair” or “concert master”) and violin teacher, played several instruments including piano, viola, flute & recorder, and had a long career in orchestral performance and teaching from age 10 right up until a month before her death at age 90. She performed in several orchestras over her lifetime, including the Jacksonville symphony, JCC orchestra in Bethesda MD, the Imperial symphony in Lakeland FL, and organized and played in local chamber music groups including the Annasemble and Oak Hammock groups in Gainesville. She spoke several languages, was an avid reader, enjoyed painting, gardening and European travel and spending time with her family, friends and her many adopted pets over the years.
She is pre-deceased by her first husband Charles Croteau, her second husband of 33 years Philip Baxter, and her younger sister Katherine James Clapp.
She is survived by her brother Perry B. James, three daughters – Cathryn Croteau, Constance Croteau Brashear, and Marguerite Croteau, and four grandchildren - Connor Kapoor, Jamie Kapoor, Heather Terricola, and Aria Terricola.
There will be a Celebration of Life Service at the First United Methodist Church in Gainesville Florida, Thursday March 12th at 2 pm, with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Friends and neighbors of Dottie are welcome to attend.