Obituaries

Mary Lee of Saint Charles, Illinois died peacefully on April 17^th, her 94^th birthday.  As she was in life, Mary was surrounded by her loving family in her final days and at her passing.

Born in Chicago on April 17, 1929, Mary Coyne Lee was one of five children of John and Margaret Coyne.  Mary married fellow Chicagoan Donald Lee on November 12, 1949, and the pair raised four children in Chicago and then Glendale Heights, Illinois.

Raised during the Great Depression and World War II, Mary developed an independent spirit that she carried through her days.  Never one to sit on the sidelines, Mary entered the workforce at a young age and held a variety of jobs ranging from Field Museum greeter to Wrigley factory worker to beautician.

She was especially proud of her work at the US Postal Service, where she served as the Manager of Address Programs until her retirement in 1990.  She spent her retirement in her favorite role of all, doting on her grandchildren. Grandma Lee was generous with her time and money, always up for a swim or a shopping excursion and lunch.

If you knew Mary, it means you shared a laugh with her.  Whether you were a co-worker, a relative, or a friend of one of her children, you probably have an inside joke or memory with Mary that brings a smile.  Mary valued the people in her life above all.

Mary is survived by her four children, Carol (Patrick) Virtue, Cathy (Dutch) Deutschendorf, Peggy (Andy) Meckerman, and Donald (Sue) Lee; her twelve grandchildren, Shannon (Tim) Foley, Patrick (Caitlin) Virtue, Kathryn (Mason) Baggett, Erin Virtue, Daniel (Catherine) Virtue, Brian (Robin) Deutschendorf, Jennifer (Jason) Lesatz, Christina Deutschendorf, Mary Meckerman Kawalski, Molly Meckerman, Brittany (Andrew) Karas and Shannon Lee; her eighteen great-grandchildren, Molly, Connor, Brendan, Ryan, Grace, Nora, Lucy, Colin, Anna, Maggie, Ellie, Bradley, Gabby, Jonathan, Allie Jo, Nathan, Nicholas, and Blakely; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband Donald Lee; her parents John and Margaret Coyne; her siblings Jack Coyne, Steve Coyne, Sister Julie Coyne, and Therese Kempczynski; and her many friends and extended family members.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 21^st from 5:00 – 8:00 pm at Yurs Funeral Home, 1771 West State Street, Geneva, IL, 60134.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 22^nd at 1:00 pm at Saint John Neumann Catholic Church, 2900 E Main Street, Saint Charles, IL 60174 followed by Interment at Saint Michael’s Cemetery, Wheaton, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Waterleaf Women’s Center (https://waterleafwc.org/) in memory of Mary Lee and her support of their Pro-Life Ministry.

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