Lee is preceded in death by her daughter, Kelly Jo Caruso, brother, Dwight E. Tinsley, and parents, Beulah Mae (Dixon) and John T. Tinsley of Vero Beach, Florida.
She is survived by her daughters, Kimberly Kaye (Mark) Mlack of Tampa, Florida, and Margaret Ann (Meg) Sweeney of Windermere, Florida, ten grandchildren: Meghan Caruso Kelly, Emily Caruso Ginn, Matthew Caruso, Anton Mlack, Marcus Mlack, Christian Mlack, Shea Sweeney, Katherine Sweeney, Mark Sweeney, Ryan Sweeney, and three great-grandchildren: Rivers Kelly, Parker Mae Ginn and Reddick Ginn.
After graduating from high school in Clermont, Florida, Lee attended the University of Florida where she met her former husband, Joseph E. Melendi. After their marriage, she and her husband moved to Tampa where she would reside for the remainder of her adult life.
Lee was known for her devotion to her three young daughters during their formative years, her beauty, vivacious personality, and kindness.
