Elsie Jean Lee

Elsie Jean Lee passed away peacefully in her home in Bellaire, Texas, on October 26, 2023, surrounded by her husband, Howard, and her loving family. Elsie battled leukemia for the past three years with grace and courage, embodying how Elsie faced all challenges in her life.

Elsie was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, by her mother, Eliza Trisna, and her father, Joseph Surya Atmadja. Elsie was the third sibling of six sisters (Betty, Hetty, Hilda, Sonja, Ellen and Sandra) and two brothers (Wally and Stanley). Elsie graduated from Christian School in Jakarta and worked as a teacher for two years, where she even taught her two youngest siblings, Stanley and Sandra.

Elsie met the love of her life, Howard Lee, when she was just nineteen. Elsie and Howard married on September 12, 1962. Elsie and Howard undertook many wonderful adventures together. As newlyweds and after Howard completed medical school in 1962, Elsie and Howard traveled to West Irian, a remote and newly incorporated area of Indonesia, by a single engine prop plane and boat, so that Howard could complete his service with the government.

While Howard worked as a medical doctor in Jakarta, Elsie remained busy raising her first three children, Andy, Janet and Maureen. In 1970, when Andy was just three, Janet was two, and Maureen was six months old, Elsie and Howard made the decision to move to Jersey City, New Jersey, in order for Howard to complete his medical internship at Christ Hospital. Then in 1971, Elsie gave birth to twin girls, Connie and Colleen. With five children in tow, Elsie boldly embraced their new life in a new country.

Elsie and Howard eventually moved to Chicago and finally settled in Texas. Over the years, Elsie tirelessly dedicated herself to her children and Howard. Elsie’s days were filled with shuttling her five children to and from school, swim meets, piano lessons, and play dates, preparing meals, and everything in between. In her spare time, Elsie enjoyed hosting gatherings with other Indonesian families and friends, which provided Elsie with warm memories of home. Everyone fondly enjoyed eating Elsie’s delicious homemade eggrolls and her cream puff desserts.

Once all five children enrolled in school, Elsie chose to attend cosmetology school. Howard supported Elsie’s endeavor and looked forward to saving some money on home haircuts for himself and their five children. Elsie developed a robust list of clients through her skills as a cosmetologist and infectious personality and kindness. Elsie used her humble demeanor and self-deprecating humor to bond with colleagues and clients alike. Elsie frequently expressed with warmhearted affection that she learned the most about the American culture from interacting with her colleagues and clients.

Elsie thrived as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, teacher and cosmetologist. Throughout her life, Elsie developed and nurtured strong family values, lasting connections with friends, and an everlasting faith in the Lord. In all that she did, Elsie remained selfless, always putting others ahead of herself. Even in the last few years of her life, Elsie would ensure that her leukemia team at M.D. Anderson enjoyed small gifts and treats as an expression of Elsie’s appreciation and love.

One of the greatest joys in Elsie’s life involved helping her five children raise sixteen grandchildren. Family unconditionally and truly meant everything for Elsie.

Elsie is survived by her loving husband, Howard Lee, and their children, Colleen Chang and husband, James, Connie Kasravi and husband, Key, Maureen Yen and husband, Charles, Janet Jong and husband Kevin, and Andy Lee and wife, Winnie. Elsie is also survived by her sixteen grandchildren, from youngest to oldest, Ariana, YG (James), Chloe, Anderson, Leila, Kayvon, Emma, Winston, Preston, Hannah, Matthew, Harrison, Jared, Caleb, Kaitlyn, and Megan.

A memorial service for Elsie will be held Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 4525 Bissonnet St., Bellaire, TX 77401.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.earthmanbellaire.com for the Lee family.