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Nancy Ann Newton Lee

Nancy Ann Newton Lee obituary

Nancy Lee Obituary

Nancy Ann Newton Lee

July 12, 1941 -
March 14, 2014

Loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Nancy Ann Newton Lee, passed away on March 14, 2014, at the age of 72. She was born July 12, 1941, in Hollywood, CA, to parents Errol MacDonald Newton and Evelyn Ruth Dutrow Newton, both natives of South Dakota. Nancy grew up in Tarzana and Canoga Park, CA, and attended Canoga Park High School, graduating in 1957. During her teenage years she worked at Green Thumb Nursery and Hardware, of which her father was a partner. She received a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Education from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA, in 1960, and moved to Long Beach, CA, with her two best friends where she began her teaching career with Long Beach Unified School District. Nancy worked as a 5th grade teacher at Burnett Elementary School, and later worked as a child psychologist for LBUSD after receiving a Master's of Science degree in Psychology from Long Beach State University in 1962. She was wed to her loving husband, C. Olaf Lee, of New Orleans, LA, August 17, 1963, and they celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2013. Nancy put her career on hold in 1973 when the first of her and Olaf's three children entered kindergarten and became a full-time homemaker and mother to the Nth degree. She served on the PTA at Kettering Elementary, Hill Junior High, and Wilson High Schools in Long Beach from 1973-1989, serving time as PTA president at each school over the years. Nancy also ran for a LBUSD school board seat in 1979 and co-authored two multi-cultural educational books, "Hands on Heritage" (1980) and "Tacos, Tempura, and Teem-Gok" (1983). She was also an enthusiastic fan and benefactor of theater and musical arts, a long-time member of the Canoga Park Friends of Taxco sister city group, and a voracious reader and traveler. Nancy was a positive influence on everyone she met and leaves many, many wonderful friends behind. She was a fierce believer that you should smother people with kindness to make this world a better place and she practiced her art ingeniously, bestowing her gifts of good will and love to all of those who touched her life in any way. Nancy is survived by her husband, C. Olaf Lee, and her devoted children; Lara Lee Kurutz, Karin Lee and son-in-law Bobby Knight, and Christian Lee and daughter-in-law Tina Thomson Lee, along with her 11 grandchildren; Sophie Cummings, Claire Castrejon, Chloe Lim, Eve Kurutz, Sam Kurutz, Zachary Castrejon, Casey Knight, Jesse Knight, Cornelius Lee, Nancy Knight, and Penelope Lee . Nancy is also survived by her many kids that she and Olaf hosted as exchange students over the years, all of which she loved as children of her own and took in as permanent members of her always growing "FamLee". Some of her "kids" include Ole Martin Mortvedt, Pedro Thomas (P.T.) Castrejon, Jose Juan (Pepejon) Castrejon, Alvaro Diaz, and Lety Diaz; as well as Nancy's "sister", Elizabeth (Chabela) Castrejon. Nancy also leaves behind many dedicated friends and a countless amount of now grown "kids" who gathered at her table over the years and were raised on her motherly advice and unfaltering love and support. She loved so greatly and will be missed by so many. Services: March 27, 2014 at 11:30am, Christ Lutheran Church, Long Beach, CA. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the LBUSD Education Foundation Nancy Lee Memorial Fund to benefit Long Beach Schools Music, Sports, and College Bound Kids Programs. You can donate online at www.lbschools.net/Community/Education_Foundation/ or call (562) 997-8054. Tax deductible gifts may also be sent to: Long Beach Education Foundation, 1515 Hughes Way, Long Beach 90810. Please designate Nancy Lee Memorial Fund in check memo. Please sign the guestbook
at www.presstelegram.com/obits.

Published by Press-Telegram from Mar. 21 to Mar. 23, 2014.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

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Memories and Condolences
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I remember, when Dad was still alive, my cousin Nancy, cousin Chris, and aunt Evelyn came to Sea-Tac and Dad and I invited them to the Space Needle for breakfast. And, the next day, all the family joined Dad and me at the DoubleTree Inn for dinner. It was the last time I saw aunie Pat. It was a wonderful time. Nancy and I have two things in common: We both are PLU graduates and both got our master's degree in psychology. (She inspired me to do both). It's a wonderful gift--remember all the times I spent with Nancy, Olaf, their kids, aunie Evelyn and uncle Errol.

Richard Hansen

Family

March 15, 2020

Even though I haven't seen you in over 20 years, I remember so much of your life and remember, too, how much my parents love you. Your cousin Richard Emory Michael Hansen

Richard Hansen

April 5, 2014

I am Nancy's cousin, Richard Emory Michael Hansen, PsyD, and remember Nancy staying with my parents and me at our home in Burien. I also remember visiting her folks, Evelyn and Errol at their home in Woodland Hills. More than one Thanksgiving was spent at their Woodland Hills home for Thanksgiving. I also remember visiting Nancy and Olaf at their home in Long Beach, and staying there one summer when I was still in high school.
I'm sure that Olaf and their children miss their mom terribly. She was truly a remarkable human being.

Richard Hansen

April 5, 2014

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your loss. We have wonderful memories of Nancy. She was such a kind, loving, giving, and gracious lady. We are so glad that we could be there to share in the celebration of Nancy and Olaf's 50th wedding anniversary. May God's peace and comfort be with you now, and in the days ahead. Love, Don and Jean

Don and Jean Hale

April 3, 2014

Olaf and FamLee: Nancy shines in our memory. Grateful that Marilyn, Carolyn, and Kim could be with you and the family to celebrate Nancy's life. Too many memories and people to begin to express the gratitude I have for you all. A special gift to have seen all of you at the fiftieth celebration last summer. Many thanks and Love.

John Werst

March 31, 2014

Although we have moved away, the memories of the fun times with the Lee family are very vivid. A precious life was take way too soon.

Georgia Jones

March 29, 2014

Dear Olaf and children, while I writte these lines I realize that no matter how fast time goes by, FRIENSHIP is a treasuer, I¿ll never forget her.

Andrés Mejía

March 28, 2014

To the Lee Family, Words can't define how sad we are to know that a special person has left. Nancy and the Lee family have always been so kind and so loving. There was not a day that when I flew to California and when your mom was around she always gave me such a warm embrace and always had so much love for my family and my wife. She was a fearless person and left a foot print in all of our lives. My mom told me that god always picks the best flower for his garden and I know that's where she will be. She will be deeply missed. Thank you Nancy and Olaf and her kids for being great to me a.d my family. Love always The Onemma Family

Basilisa Onemma

March 25, 2014

We are so sorry for your loss! I was so lucky to have her as part of my life! I have great memories of the time I spent as part of the "Famlee". You all remain in our prayers and we love you all very much!
Pepe Castrejon and Family

March 25, 2014

Lee Family, We are so sorry for your loss. Nancy was such a beautiful wonderful lady. All of us always thought highly of her and her kind way of greeting people and making them feel like family! Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. Love Anita Chris Zane Carissa and Jax.

March 24, 2014

Olaf, my oldest, longest and best friend for over 65 years . . . I am so sorry. You, Laura, Karen & Christopher have my deepest sympathy. We all loved Nancy as do we love you & kids. I know of no one who ever mentioned any fault of Nancy's . . . as she had no faults! What a wonderful, giving lady she was! I am glad we had a visit at your home a day before Nancy went to heaven. I regret Betty & I will not be able to attend the funeral. You and your Famlee remain in our prayers in this terrible time of grieving. I love you, Buddy - Glenn

Glenn Cupit

March 23, 2014

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Jerry Gundlach

March 23, 2014

Dear Lee Family - one and all, We were so very sad to learn of Nancy's passing. What a wonderful person she was and a dear friend of many, many years! We will miss her optimism, her kindness and her smile! She leaves so many happy memories for her family and her extended family and friends. The tribute to her is lovely, as is her picture! So glad we were able to help Olaf and Nancy celebrate their 50 year anniversary! Love, Sally and Paul

Sally Tanner-Smock

March 22, 2014

Hi Lara and Karin,

I am so sorry for your loss. I have some great memories of your mom from our swim days, New York being at the top of my list! Oh my goodness, we were lost so many times on that trip, driving the wrong way on one way streets, etc. Great memories. It was so much fun being around her, she was a mom to all of us. Praying for your hearts as you grieve her absence.

Hugs, Kelly Evans

Kellly Evans

March 22, 2014

Gasque's

March 22, 2014

How well I remember all of our Syncro days together and walking precincts for Jan Hall. Nancy was truly a mover and shaker who would never shrink back from getting involved in issues that matter. She has left an incredible legacy for her grandchildren. I lost contact with Nancy over the past years, but I have such fond memories of all of the times that we spent together.Blessings to the family and may God help you through this difficult time of loss.
Jody Kirkwood

March 22, 2014

Eddie and I send our Sympathy to the Lee Family. I know I will miss her, She has left so many memories with us. Watching our boys when Eddie was out at sea and the get togethers, And of course I would watch kids while she worked. Loved her to the moon and back. From the whole Gasque Family

March 21, 2014

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