Clara Lee

1926 - 2017

Clara "Janie" Lee

March 1, 1926 - December 23, 2017

Janie Lee, the insatiable life of the party, whose social calendar at the age of 91 was fuller than any 20 year old's, has made her final exit, leaving us all wanting more. Janie was born in SF Chinatown, the 5th of 8 children, to Eva and Harry (Wong) Chan. She famously told stories of her days working as a waitress, key punch operator, account clerk and payroll clerk -- innocently unglamorous professions that she turned into once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Both Janie and her husband of 52 years, Jack Gock Lee, were very social. They bought a house in the 50s in SSF and hosted/participated in mahjong/poker parties with neighbors and friends. After moving to San Mateo in the 70s, Janie became an active member of the Asian Senior Club. Wherever she went, Janie made lifelong friends. Her granddaughters had a nickname for her innate charm and sense of style, a play on words of her Chinese name: Choy Jing Glamour Gene. She leaves behind her daughters: Sharon Lee-Nakayama (Cliff d.), Donna Lee (Chris Birdsong), Patti Lee Hoffmann (Steve), Joni Lee (Christa Cappiali), grandchildren: Alex, Jacqui, Blaire, Greer and Amelia, and 3 granddogs: Kenny, Arie and Bailey. She will be cremated and a private memorial service will be scheduled. Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society in her memory.