Margaret Lee

Margaret Holden Chiavola Lee of Lenexa, Kansas passed suddenly into the arms of our Lord on September 30th, 2011, surrounded by 3 of her 4 daughters. Margaret was born on November 5th, 1928 in Macomb, Illinois. Throughout her life, Margaret showed a consistent high level of energy and vibrant joy for living and will be greatly missed.

Margaret joins her infant son, Nicholas Thaddeus Jude Chiavola, of Chicago, Illinois; her father and mother, Edward Francis Holden and Martha Edna Simmons Holden, of Macomb, Illinois; her two sisters, Anne Holden Schmillen of Wenona, Illinois and Eloise Holden Jeno of Fremont, California; former husband, John C. Banks, of Wheatland, Missouri; and her dear beloved husband of 23 years, William Joseph Lee, Jr., of Overland Park, Kansas, whom she missed so much since his passing in November, 2007. Margaret is survived by her two brothers, Patrick E. Holden, of Dallas Texas and Michael H. (Patricia) Holden of Urbana, Illinois; brother-in-law, Joseph Jeno, of Fremont, California; and sister-in-law, Norma Dirks of Naples, Florida; four daughters, Kathleen Chiavola of Nashville, Tennessee, Suzanne (Irl F.) Engelhardt of St. Louis, Missouri, Nanette Yates of Westwood, Kansas, and Carla (Robert J. III) Ingraham of Prairie Village, Kansas; 25 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind five step-children; Mike (Rosemary) Lee, Jeff (Jill) Lee, Greg (Claudette) Lee, Liz (Joe) Winship and Robert (Mary Ann) Lee.

An accomplished musician, Margaret attended schools in Macomb, Illinois, and colleges at Eastern Kentucky and Western Illinois Universities, where she studied piano and viola. She continued her musical career in Kansas City, performing with the Kansas City Civic Orchestra and various string quartets. She and her first husband, George Angelo Chiavola, passed their love of music on to their four daughters.

Margaret was an award-winning quilt maker, widely known in professional quilting circles, both in Kansas City and Naples, Florida, where she was a member of the Naples Quilt Guild for many years. She and her husband, Bill Lee, made countless quilts for their many children and grandchildren, while also donating numerous quilts to various pro-life and other charitable organizations raising thousands of dollars. More information about Margaret’s award-winning quilts can be found online at the Alliance for American Quilts www.allianceforamericanquilts.org .

A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 12th, 2011, at 6:30PM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11300 West 103rd Street, Overland Park, Kansas, 66214. The family will be receiving visitors at the church at 5:30PM prior to the funeral Mass. A private burial will follow at a later date. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcgilleymidtownchapel.com. The family suggest donations in Margaret’s name to a Pro-Life Organization of your choice. Arrangements: McGilley Midtown Chapel, Kansas City, MO 816-753-6200.