Sarah Lee Hite

October 19, 1935 – May 18, 2026

With profound sadness and immense love, the family of Sarah Lee Hite announces her peaceful passing on May 18, 2026, at the age of 90.

Born on October 19, 1935, in Union, West Virginia to the late William A. Dillon and Alma A. Dillon (Morris), Sarah learned early the importance of family, resilience, and caring for others, values she carried throughout her life. Sarah was raised in a large blended family alongside her siblings Roger, Betty, Peewee, Tudy, Ronnie, Sue, and Debbie. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Betty, Sue and Tudy.

Sarah built a life defined by resilience, devotion to family, and unconditional love. She was the proud mother of eight children and dedicated her life to raising and caring for her family through every season of life. She first married the father of her children before later marrying the love of her life, Hite, whose passing left a space in her heart that never faded. Through that marriage, Sarah also gained and loved Hite’s sons, Buddy and Larry, as part of her family.

She was preceded in death by her sons, Thomas “Tom” Leneski and Todd Leneski. She was also preceded in death by her son-in-law, Jim McCarthy, and Mary’s longtime partner, Gregg.

Her greatest pride and joy was the family she created and the generations that followed. Sarah’s love lives on through her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, all of whom brought endless joy to her life.

Her children, in birth order, include Pamela “Pam” McCarthy, Richard “Rick” Leneski, Mary Leneski, Ronald “Ronnie” Leneski, and his wife Rhonda, Michael “Mike” Leneski, James “Tony” Leneski and his wife Kim, the family of her late son, Thomas “Tom” Leneski, including his wife, Margaret “Tinky” Leneski, and never forgotten Todd Leneski whom passed as just an infant.

Pam raised five children, Chrissy, Hope, Katie, Lauren, and Joey, and through them Sarah was blessed with numerous great-grandchildren and even great-great-grandchildren. Chrissy’s family includes one son, one daughter, and two grandchildren. Hope’s family includes two daughters, two grandsons, and one granddaughter, while Katie is the proud mother of four children, two daughters and two sons.

Mary’s children, Danny, Coy, and Tina, remained a special part of Sarah’s life and heart. Danny is the father of four children, three daughters and one son, and Sarah was overjoyed to know another generation was on the way with the anticipated arrival of Danny’s first grandchild. Coy is the proud father of three sons, and Tina has one son.

Ronnie’s son, Bradley, carried on the family name with pride, while Mike’s children, Mikey and Michelle, added another loving branch to Sarah’s growing family tree. Michelle has one son, and Mikey is the proud father of four children, two daughters and two sons.

Tony’s daughter, Elizabeth, blessed the family with two sons of her own, and Tom’s children, Kayce and Curtis, carried forward the memory of their father. Kayce later welcomed a son, adding yet another generation to the family Sarah loved so deeply.

Sarah’s life revolved around creating a home full of warmth, honesty, laughter, and love. Nothing brought her more happiness than gathering her family around the table for holidays and celebrations. She loved cooking for those she loved, planning family events, and tending to her beautiful garden, especially her cherished peonies.

Throughout her life, Sarah worked hard to support her family. Her first job was at Hop Shops in Hyattsville, Maryland. She later worked for a chuck wagon service company near College Park and eventually became a dietician at the University of Maryland. Along the way, she raised her children in Union, West Virginia; Alexandria, Virginia; Takoma Park, Maryland; and Riverdale, Maryland, before eventually settling in Berwyn Heights and later Bowie, Maryland, where she embraced retirement and fully became everyone’s beloved “Granny Lee.”

Sarah lived through difficult times with quiet strength and grace. She experienced tremendous loss throughout her life, yet she remained the steady heart of her family, a protector, caregiver, and safe place for so many.

Her family finds peace in knowing she is reunited with those she loved and missed deeply, especially Tom, Todd, and Hite.

Though her absence leaves an immeasurable void, her love, traditions, recipes, stories, and spirit will continue through the generations she created and nurtured.

Visitation will be held at Robert E. Evans Funeral Home, 16000 Annapolis Road, Bowie, MD 20715, US, on May 26, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and again at Robert E. Evans Funeral Home, 16000 Annapolis Rd, Bowie, Maryland 20715, on May 26, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Ascension Catholic Church, 12700 Lanham Severn Rd, Bowie, Maryland 20720, on May 27, 2026, at 12:00 pm.

Final resting place will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, at 2:00 pm.

In honor of Sarah, the family encourages everyone to gather with loved ones, share a home-cooked meal, plant something beautiful, and cherish family above all else, just as she always did.

The family will gather for a repass at Ascension Catholic Church Hall immediately following the burial, and all are welcome to join them.