Joan L. Lee

Born on May 13, 1936, in Pingtung, Taiwan, Joan was the eldest daughter of Chia-Fang Lan and Yu-Hao Chen. She graduated from Chung Yuan Christian University in Taiwan before moving to the United States in 1963 to pursue graduate studies at Oklahoma State University, where she earned her Master of Science degree in biochemistry.

Joan married Yu-Chiang Lee in 1965. They welcomed the birth of their first child, Henry, in Oklahoma. Later, they moved to Texas where Arlene, their first daughter, was born. The small family finally made roots in St. Louis after Alice, the baby of the family, was born. Joan and Yu-Chiang celebrated their 25th anniversary shortly before he passed.

Joan worked in St. Louis as a research scientist at Washington University Medical School, American Red Cross, and Monsanto. She retired at the age of 75 and spent her free time traveling the world with friends and visiting family in California and Taiwan.

Joan is survived by her daughters Arlene Victoria Lee (Clifford Harry Minnick) and Alice Lee Stevens; grandchildren Sophia Irene Stevens, Chloe Plum Stevens, and Clyde Lee Minnick; sister Lin-Ching Lu (Chai-Pei Lu) and nephews Richard and Alan Lu. She is also survived by extended family in Taiwan, including two sisters, two brothers, several sisters- and brothers-in-law, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Yu-Chiang Lee and her son, Henry Victor Lee. In accordance with her wishes, her cremated remains will be laid to rest alongside their ashes in Taiwan.

Her family finds great comfort in knowing that her kindness, wisdom, and love will live on in the hearts of all who cherished her.