Dorothy Stein

Dorothy Stidham Stein, 87, of Tucson, Ariz. passed away on Tuesday, November 27th at St.Josephs Hospital in Tucson, Ariz.

Dorothy was a long-time Roswell resident, having moved here in 1950 when she married David Meyer Stein who was serving with the U.S. Air Force 509th Bomb Group at Walker Air Force Base. Dorothy spent the next 50 years in Roswell, simultaneously raising seven children and pursuing her career in the federal service as a claims representative with the Social Security Administration.

Dorothy was born Dorothy Lucille Stidham on October 9, 1920 in Ethel aka Wanda in Logan County, West Virginia to Bertha Ann Vaughan and Jeremiah Stidham. She attended primary and secondary school in Charleston, West Virginia, and eventually obtained a Business Certificate through the National Youth Association NYA. In 1941, she began working in Washington D.C. Two years later her career took her to San Francisco with the Provost Marshall Generals Office, and ultimately back to Washington where she worked for the office of investigations for then ultra-secret Manhattan Project and following WWII, for the Veterans Administration.

Dorothy raised seven children in Roswell, including Daniel Nathan Stein deceased, Rebecca Stein Lockenbach of Tallahassee, FL, Michael Keith Stein of Roswell, Vicki Kay Stein of Annapolis, MD, Murray Kent Stein of Tucson, AZ, Susan Stein Shofner of Las Vegas, NV, and Brian Lee Stein of Tucson. She is also survived by grandchildren Risa Jonine Lockenbach of Orlando, FL, Daniel Micah Lockenbach of Tallahassee, FL, Stephanie Rose Shofner of Las Vegas, NV, Whitney Leigh Shofner of Las Vegas, NV, and Rachel Stein Bryan of Roswell, NM, and by great-grand daughter Jade Marie Bryan of Roswell.

Dorothy was a loving wife and mother, and devoted herself to the qualities of patience, kindness, generosity, and positive spirit. Orphaned at nine years old, and largely separated from both her immediate and extended families, she dedicated her life to the study of her family tree. She successfully tracked her roots to the arrival of John William Vaughan in Virginia aboard the British ship Bona Nova in 1640 and to Dr. Timothy Timen Lulofsson Stiddem in 1654 in Wilmington, Delaware then known as New Sweden. She was known throughout the United States as a highly competent genealogist who was always willing to help others in the pursuit of their own family origins.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her son, Daniel Nathan Stein 1973, brother, Charles Edward Stidham 1981 of Baltimore, MD, and sisters Pearl May Stidham 1920, of Logan County, WV and Lora Dean Stidham 1992 of Miami, FL.

Dorothy and David Stein moved to Tucson in early 2001 to reside near their son Murray and his wife Patricia. In Tucson, Dorothy became an active member of the St. Josephs CardioPulmonary Rehabilitation Program, endearing herself to the staff and fellow program participants. Despite having poor vision, diabetes, and COPD, Dorothy proved an inspiration to many others. Her indelible spirit touched all of those around her and shall continue to remind us of her charm, compassion, and depth of heart.
PDorothy remained active in the genealogical community until her death, regularly corresponding with many dozens of in
iduals. Her passionate and accurate research on the Stidham and Vaughan family trees have proven to be of immeasu

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Cemetery