Lee Pennebaker

Ottolee “Lee” Wilson Pennebaker passed peacefully from this earth on Tuesday, October 9, 2018, at the age of 67 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She leaves behind her loving husband of fifty years, John Durand Pennebaker, and her three daughters, Kathryn Ottolee Pennebaker (Christopher Broussard), Laura Pennebaker Gallichio (David), and Anne Pennebaker Holstead (Carland). She also leaves behind her four grandchildren, Thomas Aloysius Gallichio, Ella Pierce Gallichio, Oliver Grant Holstead and William Rhys Holstead, who adoringly referred to her as their “LeeLee.”

Lee’s story began on Saturday, November 4, 1950, as the youngest child of the late Louis Aloysius Wilson and Ruth Kirchheiner Wilson. She was born and raised in New Orleans with her three siblings, Louis Aloysius Wilson, Jr. (Sandra), Philip Otto Wilson and Susan Elizabeth Sutherland. Summers of their youth were spent frolicking amongst their property by the bay in Pass Christian, Mississippi.

Lee attended Holy Name of Jesus School during her formative years and graduated from Mercy Academy High School in 1968. Shortly after graduation, Lee had a whirlwind romance and was married to her husband, John, on September 29, 1968, before being stationed in South Dakota with the U.S. Air Force. Upon return to New Orleans, Lee obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Education from The University of New Orleans. She taught for a few years until she found her calling and role of a lifetime as a mother. Lee also found great pleasure in her secondary career as a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker TEC Realtors.

Lee was a selfless and devoted mother, wife and friend. She was always ready to go on an adventure or lend a helping hand. Lee had an endearing and positive presence whether she was just simply smiling, cracking a joke or blessing others with her infectious laugh. She is terribly missed but her love will carry on through her family left behind including her nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

The family would like to thank Ochsner Hospital for their compassionate care especially her oncologist, Dr. Suma Satti, who never let us give up hope. And to the ICU team that surrounded us with love and allowed us to walk our wife/mother into eternal life comfortably and peacefully.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service in the Chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home on Friday, October 12, 2018 at 11 a.m.

Visitation is from 9 a.m. until service time.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Tom and Gayle Benson Cancer Center. You may make a donation online at giving.ochsner.org by clicking on the Tribute Tab and selecting Lee Pennebaker from the drop-down menu. Alternately, donations may be mailed to the following address:

Ochsner Clinic Foundation

1514 Jefferson Hwy

BH 607

New Orleans, LA 70121