VIOLET GRACE LEE

February 26, 1930 ~ July 30, 2013It is with sadness that the family of Violet Grace Lee, beloved wife of On Wah Lee, announce her passing while at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Tuesday, July 30, 2013, at the age of 83 years.  Born in Calgary at the cusp of the Great Depression, Violet was raised in a modest house on the Flats at the gate of Lion’s Park.  Her middle name, Grace inbued her life: born at Grace Hospital to a woman named Grace, her middle name Grace, also middle names to her daughter and grand-daughter and she was gracious in every way.  Vi was a strong person with a gentle soul.  She was a woman before her time.  Vi raised five children while working full time and supporting her husband’s dream to build the family farm.  She worked as a secretary to the researchers at CFB?Suffield and remembered fondly her decades as an Administrative Assistant and Purchasing Officer at Cypress School District.  She loved unconditionally before it was a catch-phrase.  When Violet me her life partner, George, a Chinese Canadian through a friend in the 1940’s… it was love at first sight.  Married for 57 years, they were the center of each others lives until the moment of her passing.  She was intensely proud of the achievements of her children, Marilyn (Douglas), Adrienne (Ben), Sandra (Patrick), Vincent and Sidney; grandchildren, Jessie, Andrew, John Rachel, Lauren, Zachary, Connor, Madeline, Michael and Will.  Vi touched many lives with her selfless contributions to the community of Medicine Hat.  She had an almost unbounded capacity to give and to listen.  Vi was a passionate and devoted member of the United Church of Canada and everything it stood for: diversity, inclusion and acceptance. Her commitment to the Church spanned seven decades. She was active in the Business and Professional Women’s Association, invited to participate in numerous community Task Forces and volunteered for many Heart and Stroke Fundraising Campaigns.  Vi loved being around people and people loved being around her.  She loved her weekly coffee and luncheon with friends, and they will miss her enthusiastic presence.  Violet is predeceased by her grandson, Jessie;  sister Gladys;  brothers, Clayton, Virgil, and Noville.  Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, on Monday, August 5, 2013, between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. The Funeral Service will be held at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church, 476 – 4 Street S.E., Medicine Hat, AB., on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at 1:00 P.M. with Reverend Leroy Angle officiating.  Please feel free to wear blue, Vi’s favorite color to her funeral service and celebration of life.  (Condolences may be expressed by visiting www.cooksouthland.com)  If friends so desire, memorial tributes in memory of Violet may be made directly to Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church, 476 – 4 Street S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta   Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta  T1A 4V4  Phone 403-527-6455.