Katherine Lee Kalish (Wai Fong Lee)

Katherine Lee Kalish, born Wai Fong Lee, began life in Hong Kong, China. Her mother, Seung Kuen Wong, and her father, Yuk Kin Lee, moved to Hong Kong shortly before Kathy was born as the sixth of seven siblings. Kathy spent her first nine years in Hong Kong before her family immigrated to New York City. While the transition was not always easy growing up in the racially divided neighborhoods of the Big Apple, Kathy still managed to excel in her academics. She worked small jobs throughout high school in order to earn spending money, and used her earnings to further explore her love for different cuisines, the arts, and quality time with her siblings. She graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School in 1979 at the top of her class before leaving for college.

Kathy took an unexpected route and attended the United States Air Force Academy, moving across the country to Colorado. She attended the previously all male Military Academy during only the fourth year in which women were allowed entry. She was one of the first women of Asian descent to attend the prestigious school, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s of History in 1983. Kathy soon transferred to her first post in Los Angeles, California, where she was promoted to First Lieutenant. In 1985 she transferred to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, where she was promoted to Captain. Kathy retired from the military in 1988, leaving her role as an Acquisition Logistics Officer.

Kathy met her fellow officer and future husband, Bruce Kalish, while she was stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. During their early years they enjoyed traveling, visiting dozens of countries across five continents. They enjoyed trying new foods, journeying to historic sites, touring artistic regions, and exploring various landmarks. After living for a few years abroad, Bruce and Kathy settled in Colorado with their three children, where Kathy committed to taking care of her family. She attentively raised her sons, spending a few years home-schooling them having earned a Master’s Degree in Education after retiring from the Air Force. She passed along her academic excellence, love for food and travel, and active lifestyle to her children.

After her youngest son graduated high school in 2016, Kathy moved back to Los Angeles, California. While living there, she further explored her interest in Art, earning an Associate’s Degree in Art History. A few years after her move to California, however, Kathy’s health began to deteriorate. She moved back to Colorado in 2019 to be closer to her two older sons and began her fight with breast cancer. Kathy demonstrated strength, and in 2021 she was declared to be cancer free; however, despite overcoming her first battle, she was shortly after diagnosed with colon and liver cancer. After demonstrating her amazing resilience for many years, Katherine Lee Kalish passed away on October 17th, 2023. She is survived by her three sons: Daniel, Matthew, and Joshua, her three sisters: Livia, Jennifer, and Lisa, and two brothers: George and Thomas.