Lee Hennessee-Gradante

Lee grew up in Raleigh, NC, the daughter of Mary Frances Dillon and William Edward Hennessee. She graduated from St. Mary’s Prep School and was presented at the North Carolina Debutante Ball in 1971 before graduating in 1975 from Randolph-Macon Women’s College in Lynchburg, VA. One year later, Lee would find herself in New York doing things she had been told “women did not do” in the male dominated world of Wall Street finance. In fact, Lee did things that no one had done, including creating the first hedge fund index, and in breaking so many glass ceilings she was named one of the 50 most powerful women in New York. She left Raleigh to take a bite from the “Big Apple” and said, “I am, I will” and she did. By her side was not only a husband she cherished but a partner in life. Beginning the day Lee and Charles said “I do” on October 31, 1992 they truly did work and live as one. From co-founding the privately owned Hennessee Group LLC to charitable work to leisure beach weekends which Charles would capture for Lee in colorful oil paintings, their life was filled with success, devotion to each other and to helping those who faced strife and prejudice.

Lee put her personality into helping others through a variety of charities. She co-founded the New York City Christian Women’s Bible Fellowship which folded into Campus Crusade, was a trustee of the Palm Beach Atlantic University and was active in Palm Beach nonprofits including the Junior League, Island Cats, HomeSafe and served as Chairwoman for this year’s Salvation Army gala. Lee is known for big things….she was New York Finance Chair for Elizabeth Dole’s Presidential campaign in 2005, she organized the New York Billy Graham crusade, and she could even be seen almost weekly on CNN, CNBC or FOX giving insight into the world of Wall Street, but somehow, it’s the small things that shine through. That no-nonsense business personality tempered with southern charm, a love of gospel music, her passion to mentor young women in their journey and of course, those wonderful hats and personally made hair bands, which were her fashion trademarks. It was always a joy to be around Lee and these memories continue to put a warm feeling in our hearts. She is survived by her husband and partner in life Charles J. Gradante, her mother Mary Frances Dillon and her brothers; William Edward “Billy” Hennessee, IV and Grover “Dillon” Hennessee. She was predeceased by one brother, William Edward Hennessee, III and her father William Edward Hennessee.

At the family's request, all services have been cancelled and will be held at a later date

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In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Lee’s favorite charity, Light Club Ministries, a ministry for afterschool children’s Bible study. www.lightclubministries.org

Arrangements managed by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, West Palm Beach, FL and in Raleigh, NC by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 St. Mary’s Street.