Rebecca James

July 23, 1945 – April 13, 2025

Rebecca James passed away peacefully on April 13th at the age of 79. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, she was the daughter of Richard T. James and Alice Beard James Young, both originally from Portland, Indiana—a place she would later return to and lovingly document through her photography.

A 1963 graduate of Carmel High School, Rebecca went on to earn her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from William Woods College in Fulton, Missouri, where she was a proud member of Alpha Phi Sorority. She later completed her master's degree in the same field at the College of St. Rose in Albany, New York.

Rebecca devoted her career to teaching third grade at Holy Spirit School in East Greenbush, NY, where her warmth, humor, and dedication touched the lives of 100's of students. She was endlessly curious and believed deeply in the value of learning at every age—something she modeled not

only in the classroom but throughout her life.

Outside the classroom, Rebecca was a passionate photographer, documenting the quiet beauty of the natural world around her homes in Chatham NY and later in Portland. Her Flickr archive is a visual love letter to her community, family, and the birds, cats and squirrels that visited her yard. A devoted genealogist, she meticulously traced her family's lineage back to Europe, creating a lasting legacy for future generations. She approached history as a living, breathing thing—something to be explored, preserved, and passed on.

Rebecca had a boundless appreciation for music—from the

Beatles to Bach—but in recent years found a particular joy in the music of Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits. In midlife, she took up the fiddle with characteristic enthusiasm, always eager to learn something new and offbeat.

Rebecca is survived by her two sons, Peter J. Baldes (Gina Sonderegger)  of Richmond, VA, and Richard James Baldes (Elizabeth) of Albany, NY, and by her beloved grandchildren, Anna, Charlotte, and Polly.  One brother Dick James (wife Sandra) of Florida.  She was preceded in death by her parents and step-father Dwight Young, Rebecca also leaves many beloved relatives in the Young family.

She was funny, a little silly, and wholly original—a mother, teacher, artist, and historian whose curiosity and creativity never stopped. Her spirit lives on in the stories she shared, the images she captured, and the lives she touched.

A celebration of her life will be held on Wednesday July 2nd at 3:00 PM in the First Presbyterian Church in Portland with Pastor Rex Espirtu presiding. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Artsplace in Portland, or simply take a photo, play a favorite song, or spend a moment outdoors in her memory.   Baird-Freeman Funeral Home in Portland are handling the arrangements.  Online condolences at www.bairdfreeman.com