Lee Starr Vanderhoef

Lee Starr Vanderhoef, 78, passed away peacefully at English Meadows Senior Living on August 1st, 2024. She was born October 22nd, 1946 in New York City to Col. Dean and Jeanne Ann Vanderhoef, the second of their three children.

As an Army brat, Lee lived many places, but spent most of her childhood in Northern Virginia. It was there that, as the granddaughter of a cavalry officer, a life-long love of horses was instilled. Wherever her family lived, the home was always full of animals, some quite exotic in the case of a pair of gibbons rescued from their time in Thailand. Lee graduated from Flint Hill Preparatory and went on to study at Elmira College (NY), majoring in English. She married LTC. Hugh Gene Burke in 1969. Soon afterwards, the couple was sent to West Germany, where their daughter was born a year later. They were then stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, CO. Upon seeing the wide open skies and expansive views of the mountain west, Lee knew she was home.

Living in 1970’s Denver as a single mother, Lee worked her way through the ranks at First Trust Corporation, starting as a bank teller and finishing her time as an Assistant Vice President. She remarried and moved to Carlisle, PA in the early 80’s, but her stubborn love of the west took her back to Colorado a decade later. It was there that she was finally able to fulfill her dream of owning a small horse farm. Those were undoubtedly the happiest years of her life. Her aging parents eventually led her back to Virginia, but Colorado was where her heart remained.

Lee is survived by her daughter, Adrienne (Ren) Burke of Fort Collins, CO; her brother and sister-in-law, Capt. Craig and Judy Vanderhoef of Afton, VA; her sister Christa Arensburg, of Waynesboro, VA; and nieces Corey Vanderhoef and Jennifer Wagner. She will be dearly missed by friends and family across the country and world. She was preceded in death by her parents and her partner, Dr. Richard Cottingham.

Known for her positivity even while she struggled with her own heartbreak, Lee was truly one of a kind. She will be fondly remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know her. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff and caregivers at English Meadows, UVA Health, and PACE InnovAge, for their compassionate care and support.

As per her request, there will be no formal funeral or memorial service. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local animal shelter or horse rescue in Lee's memory.