Dolores "Dee" James

1940 - 2025

Dolores "Dee" James (née Anstaett), born on March 12, 1940, in Batavia, Ohio, passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 85. She was the beloved daughter of Stanley and Gertrude Anstaett, and was preceded in death by her two brothers, Carroll Anstaett and Dale Anstaett.

Dee graduated in 1962 from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education. During her college years, she was a proud member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma (Tri Sigma) sorority, where she was known for her vibrant spirit and active campus involvement. She later earned her master's degree from the University of Arizona.

Dee dedicated her career to teaching at the elementary level in Tucson, Arizona. She spent 40 years shaping young minds, with the majority of her career at Cragin Elementary School in the Tucson Unified School District. She was deeply respected by colleagues, students, and parents alike.

In 1963, she married H.R. "Jess" James in Tucson, and together they raised three children: Cassandra James (Jerry) of Farmington, NM; Corey James of Tucson, AZ; and Carrie Johnson (Bill) of Phoenix, AZ. Jess preceded her in death in 2002. She later married Thomas Stephens in 2008, who survives her.

Dee adored her three grandchildren, Morgan James, Casey Johnson, and Connor Johnson. She took great joy in supporting their many activities, from dance competitions and baseball games to theater performances. A lifelong baseball enthusiast, she proudly cheered for her beloved Cincinnati Reds and, upon their arrival in Arizona, became a dedicated Arizona Diamondbacks season ticket holder.