Doris Jean Elias

Doris Jean Elias, who went by Dee at age, 76 passed away peacefully and surrounded by her loved ones on October 16th, 2025 in Santa Barbara

Doris “Dee” was born on March 2, 1949, to Harry and Adele Elias in Cario, Illinois. Dee grew up in North Royalton, Ohio and graduated from E. E. Root High School in 1967. She went on to have a career unlike any other. Starting as an American Airlines Flight Attendant in the late 60’s and early 70’s to a Century 21 Relator, Jazzercise Teacher, Physical Therapist, Esthetician, Author, and most famously was the small business owner of DeeTours of Santa Barbara.

She never lived the same year twice. She was constantly planning, laughing, taking care of others, traveling and spending time with her best friends, life partner Bill, her daughter Sarah, her son-in-law Sean, and her grandson Jude, or traveling to see her brother Harry, sister-in-law Doretta and their extended family in Cleveland.

She never let a challenge stop her from following her dreams. When Dee was a teenager, she made fake press passes with her best friend Paulette and snuck into the Beatles hotel room in Cleveland, Ohio before their show. This experience shaped her life and dreams in the best possible way.

When she was a single mom with newborn baby, she worked overtime and pushed herself through school to have a stable career and home for her daughter in Fresno, California.

When She Wanted to have her own business, she found a stretch Jeep limo and gave wine tours to hundreds of people, and was voted one of the best tours in Santa Barbara.

Dee decided to share her story of meeting the Beatles when she was a teenager and wrote the novel “Confessions of a Beatlemaniac” in which she traveled to Beatles conventions all over the US and England with her book.

Dee’s hobbies and interests included baking, painting, gardening, making “personalized” cards for her friends and following the careers of Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift and Benson Boone!

Always the bleeding heart, she traveled all over the world to help impoverished children and gave out school supplies and toys. She continued her volunteer work in Santa Barbara by working with the Santa Barbara Food Bank and more recently after her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, raised money for the Purple Project. Always caring and thinking of others was her purpose and what made her the happiest. She strived to always be kind and spread as much love as possible, not just to her friends and family, but to anyone and everyone.

Dee’s most famous quote was, “ If I can meet the Beatles, I can do anything!” And she did with every ounce of
herself!

She is survived by her life partner Bill, her daughter Sarah, son-in-law Sean, and grandchild Jude. The family extends heartfelt thanks to her many friends, family, and the wonderful care of the Serenity House for their support and compassion.

Dee has asked, via Bill and Sarah, that their be no service. She had hoped that in lieu of flowers friends make a donation to Santa Barbara Food Bank or Purple Project.

Rest in peace an see you on the other side Dee Dee.