Walk in the door to moms home and chances are music would be playing. Perhaps it would be a Big Band favorite like Glenn Miller or an upbeat tune like Sugar Sugar that she said "energized her." Mom loved music and loved to dance. You could count on her to get the dance party started.
Lee was born to Rosaria and Raoul Desmarais on November 18, 1928 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. She married Harry Paraskevin on February 15, 1947. The newlyweds moved to the U.S. and settled in Michigan where together they raised six kids.
She found happiness; with family, friends, music, dancing, chocolate, skating, flowers, hockey, camping, religion, crack the whip, dogs, traveling, and cherry pie to name a few.
A devoted catholic Lee would say "I talk to HIM, he guides me and my strength comes from God." Throughout the years she was active within her church and taught catechism to grade school children. She believed in helping others and giving back and did so by gifting regularly to local charities.
Lee is survived by her six children, Sandy (Jim) Harty, Linda Reini, Glenn (Tracy) Paraskevin, Pam Kozlowski, Ken (Gert) Paraskevin, and Connie Paraskevin, thirteen grandchildren, and twenty-three great grandkids whose photos she had proudly displayed throughout her home. Of her 10 siblings Lee is survived by two, Len Desmarais and Theresa Jacques. Lee is reunited with her deceased husband, Harry Paraskevin and is predeceased by her parents. A viewing will be held January 13, 9:30 a.m. and mass at 10:00 a.m. at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, Madison Heights, MI. The family welcomes donations to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen as an expression of sympathy instead of flowers. (online donations cskdetroit.org)
