Connie L. James

Connie L. James, née Marsala, 92, of Princeton, passed away peacefully Friday, March 14, 2025 at the home of her daughter in Patoka. Connie was born in La Salle, IL on December 9, 1932 to Benjamin and Frances (Tomminello) Marsala. She was married for 59 years to Gene James, who preceded her in death in 2016.

If you’re a longtime Princeton resident, you likely knew Connie. She was a Princeton treasure. Connie, Gene and their family moved to Princeton in 1974 from Nashua, NH. For three decades she worked as a cashier with her smiling face behind the cash register at the Gaston’s IGA located on North Main St. in Princeton, which later became the Princeton IGA. Connie was proud of her Italian heritage and was known for her infectious laugh, her welcoming personality, her ability to easily make friends and uplift others, and her deep loyalty to family and friends. She was uniquely able to spread love and joy in every interaction.

Connie was a longtime member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Josephine’s bible study group at the church. She was a life member of the VFW, where she also worked as a waitress into her 80s (just for something to do). She loved to stay active. She loved to cook and read cookbooks, volunteer and attend activities at The Senior Center, dance, and go out to eat with friends whenever she could.

Connie is survived by her daughter, Suzette Saxe and her husband, Don Backer of Patoka; son, Gene James and wife, Kim of Brownsburg, IN; son-in-law ,Tom Saxe of Olney, IL; grandchildren, Ryne Saxe (Gina), twins, Bree and Kilee Saxe, Rio, Geno, Brock, and Lena James; and her great-grandchildren, Maria and Wendell Saxe.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her sister, Josephine Simenc.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2025 at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 410 S. Race, Princeton, with Fr. Gary Kaiser as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Princeton. Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Senior Center, 212 S. Richland Creek Drive, Princeton, IN 47670; or to Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation, 7240 Chase Oaks Blvd, Plano, TX 75025 (or online through https://www.htohhfoundation.org/donation). Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Condolences may be expressed, and memories shared, online at colvinfuneralhome.com. The Colvin Funeral Home is honored to serve Connie’s family.

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