Marjorie Lew Lee, 95, of Bellevue, WA, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2012 with her family’s loving presence. Born August 6, 1916 in Seattle, WA to Lew Geate Kay and Rosaline Lucille Goon Kay, her maternal grandparents (Chinese Consul Goon Dip and Yoke Chin Shee) and paternal grandparents (Lew King and Lee Shee) were pioneers in the Seattle Chinese community.
Her life was rich and full of great accomplishment. As a young girl, she loved swimming, riding horses and ice skating. Marjorie graduated from Broadway High School in 1934 and completed her freshman year at the University of Washington. But her drive for academic excellence had only just begun. She studied abroad at Lingnan University in Canton, China from 1935-1937 and returned to the U.W. and completed her Bachelor of Arts in 1940. She went on to obtain a Master of Science in Hygiene & Physical Education from Wellesley College in Massachusetts and taught performing arts at Monticello College in 1942.
Marjorie married Young Bok Lee, DDS, in Cambridge, MA on March 30, 1946. Together they raised their three children (RK, Sheryl and Thom), traveled extensively, enjoyed entertaining and socialized while playing Mah Jong, poker and bridge with close friends.
Marjorie’s passions centered around the performing arts and serving the community. She studied modern dance under Martha Graham, exhibited cultural Chinese dances and occasionally performed at major venues and special events. She was recognized for her dance talents and invited to membership in Orchesis, a national dance honorary. Marjorie was a gifted singer and loved to harmonize, which led to being a member of three groups – Lingnan Choral, Totem East Girl Scout Chorus, Bellewood Retirement Living Choir.
In addition to dancing and singing, Marjorie was a dedicated Girl Scout (of Totem Council) from 1933 and earned its top award – the Golden Eaglet. She led the first all-Chinese troop which met in Seattle’s Chinese Baptist Church. At that time, it was the only troop of its kind north of San Francisco and west of Chicago. She was also a founding member of Cathay Matrons, as well as active with Sertoma Service Organization and Jade Guild.
Later in life, Marjorie focused her energy on enjoying her growing family, taking grandchildren to Disneyland and special events. She loved being “best friends” to her favorite family dogs Brandy, Meisha and Trina. Marjorie had a talent for crocheting and knitting and was also a great cook and hostess. In her limited spare time, she volunteered at the Seattle YMCA and thoroughly enjoyed teaching Senior Aqua Aerobics weekly for a number of years. Her love of blackjack normally took her to Reno, NV at least several times a year, where she met top-named entertainers, played in slot tournaments and even danced with Paul Anka. She never lost her love of travel with trips to China, Paris and throughout the US.
Marjorie is survived by several generations and her loving legacy which includes her children Randall Kay Lee (William Wade), Sheryl Lee Chiang (Norm), and Thomas Young Lee; grandchildren Lisa Chiang (Linn), Sharla Seto (Rocky), Ryan Chiang (Brienne), Tyler Lee, and Tegan Lee; great-grandchildren Leyla and Laneya Chiang-Malik; Kaylani, Mia, Troy and Timothy Seto; brother Richard Lew Kay (Helen); and numerous nephews and nieces across the country.
She was preceded in death by her husband Young "Doc" Lee, two brothers Lawrence Lew Kay and Wallace Lew Kay and daughter-in-law Serena Gayle Lee.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Marjorie’s life at a service on Monday, June 25 at 12 p.m. at Sunset Hills Funeral Home, 1215 145th Place SE, Bellevue, WA 98007. In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances be made to Girl Scouts of Western Washington or a charity of your choice.
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