Lee Magee Chalfant

Lee (aka "Lulu") passed away peacefully at the age of 78 on August 12th, 2022. She lived a life packed full of laughter, family, friends, entertaining, good food, travel, and adventure. Her mottos were "Don't be afraid to take risks" and "It's okay to f* up." Colorful words from a colorful woman.

Lee's father was in the Army Air Corps and the numerous family moves helped develop her skills as an extrovert; never shy to meet new people and charm them with her bright smile, big green eyes, and infectious laugh. She lived in four states (IL, MD, FL, TX), three countries (U.S.A, England, Wales), one U.S. territory (Guam), and attended fifteen schools all before college.

While in high school, Lee met the love of her life and fellow military brat, Doug, while both fathers were stationed in Guam. A romance ensued, and eventually they both attended the University of Florida together, marrying in 1963.

Three more moves and three babies later, Lee's life took a new twist. In 1972, her husband's job transferred to Paris, France, marking a significant plot point in her life and where she felt "unfettered and alive." (Joni Mitchell's "A Free Man in Paris" was one of her favorite songs.) Lee followed an awakened food passion and enrolled in cooking classes at Le Cordon Bleu, graduating in 1976. Her experience living overseas and traveling across Europe, absorbing all the wonderful sights, sounds, food, and wine-forever changed her.

Lee and family returned to the U.S. in the summer of '76 and laid roots in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. In 1980, she became co-owner of a little shop called Spice 'n Easy, and helped turn a bulk coffee, tea, and spice store into a cafe serving espresso-based drinks, French pastries, and gourmet retail food. The business grew, moved locations, and in 1986, Lee became the sole owner of Spice, which served real food made from scratch. The business drew lines down the block for first dibs at bodacious cinnamon rolls, chocolate banana muffins, exquisitely decorated cakes, cookies, hashbrown potato salad, chicken salad sandwiches, a good cup of coffee, and counter chatter with the regulars. Spice was a true labor of love and an outlet for Lee's never-ending creativity. She sold her business after seventeen years and later moved with her husband to Redmond, Washington, to be closer to family.

Lee was a true adventurer and risk taker. She traveled to all seven continents (yes, including Antarctica) and twenty-five different countries, with Kenya and Tanzania as standouts. She was an avid gardener and loved "editing" her own garden or anyone else's who took the bait, deleting and moving plants around until they found their perfect spot. And she loved entertaining friends and family with festive parties, her favorite celebration being Bastille Day.

Lee loved a good dumpling, farmer's market corn and tomatoes, and oatmeal with lots of milk. She drank beer in very small glasses. She liked to order appetizers for her entree. Lee's special skills included hula dancing, memorizing poetry, and making legendary pancakes, bundt cakes, chocolate marshmallow cookies, and cheese fondue for her grandchildren.

Lee is preceded in death by her husband Doug, and eldest son, David. She is survived by her three brothers, her daughter Kelly (Greg), her son Doug, and grandchildren Daisy, Clementine, Nolan, and Roan.

A private celebration of Lee's life will be held at a future date. If you wish to memorialize Lee, the family welcomes planting or rearranging something in your yard or raising a glass of champagne to toast a life well lived.