Noreen J. James
August 30, 1936 – May 8, 2025
Lee’s Summit, Missouri – Noreen Joan James passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 8, 2025 at University Health Long-Term Care in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She is survived by her son Thomas James (Kathy) of Gladstone, Missouri; daughter Diana James of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; grandchildren Laura James of Kissimmee, Florida; Phaedra Bier (Chris) of Kansas City, Missouri; Michael Branstetter (Jamey)Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Christopher Branstetter (Alicia), Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Brian Jones of Eagle Mountain, Utah; Andrew Jones (Natascia) of Rexburg, Idaho; David Dehghani (Amy) of Blue Springs, MO and Angela Reidle (Max) of Independence, Missouri.
She leaves great grandchildren Jeff Branstetter, Leanna Branstetter (Kyler), Katelyn Branstetter; Aaron Bier, Caedmon Bier, Ian Bier, Hannah Dehghani, Kennedy Dehghani, Lilah Dehghani, Elaina Reidle and Valarie Reidle.
Noreen was preceded in death by her daughter Connie James.
Noreen was born to Roby and Nellie Tester on August 30, 1936, Salt Lake City, Utah. She graduated from Jordon Highschool, Salt Lake City in 1955, followed by a two-year enlistment in the United States Army where she became a certified nursing assistant at Letterman Army Hospital, San Francisco. It was there she met and married, Francis A. James, Jr. and began a family. Together, they had three children, Tom, Diana and Connie.
Noreen was a long-time resident of Independence, Missouri and spent almost her entire career helping others as a physical therapy assistant. Even outside of work, she selflessly cared for others. She had a green thumb that was almost miraculous. She could revive a practically dead plant into a thriving one. Her favorite flowers were roses and Amaryllises.
Noreen loved to dance up and down the halls of her nursing home until she was confined to a wheelchair. After that, she was an accomplished chair dancer. If ever she saw someone in pain, she would try to ease that pain with massage, comforting words and deeds.
Noreen was a devout Christian who believed in practicing her faith in her daily actions. She will be greatly missed by her friends and family.
Funeral services will be 10AM, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Park Lawn Chapel. Visitation will be held Tuesday evening from 6-8PM at Park Lawn Chapel.
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