Mrs. Mary Eleanor "Ellie" Lee's Obituary
Mrs. Mary Eleanor “Ellie” Lee, age 83, passed away Sunday, December 8, 2013 at her home in Norton Shores. She was born in St. Louis, MO on August 8, 1930 to parents Ruth and Randell Dodd. Ellie grew up in Kirkwood, MO and graduated from Maryville University in St. Louis, MO in 1955 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. After teaching kindergarten and first grade, her sense of adventure took her to New York City where she worked as a flight attendant for TWA. After marrying in 1958, Ellie left her days in the sky to become a wife and mother. As the family grew and established itself, they moved around the country claiming residence in Boston, MA; Milwaukee, WI; Rocky Mount, NC and Tampa, FL until business brought the family to Muskegon in 1966. Ellie reconnected with her passion and love of musical theatre by appearing on stage in many memorable leading roles with Muskegon Civic Theater and Saugatuck’s Red Barn Theater. Ellie went back to school in 1974 earning her Master’s Degree in Special Education while teaching in the Adult Special Education Program for Muskegon Community Mental Health. In 1977 she returned to her first love; teaching elementary school children. In 1994, she retired after many years of teaching second grade for Muskegon Public Schools where she made a great impact on many of her student’s lives, often giving well beyond what was expected. Ellie will be remembered for her love of music, hard-working spirit, tenacity, contagious humor and love of family. She is survived by her four children, Mary (Gary) Miller, Cathy (Kurt) Forrest, Debbie (Jeff) Winter and David (Marnie) Lee; 10 grandchildren, Joshua, Jacob, Rachel and Libby Miller, Daniel, Hannah and Maddie Winter, and Alex and Luke Forrest and one sister, Ruth Dazey. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Peggy Nelson and Nancy Goeteman. A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held 11:00 AM Friday, December 27, 2013 at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St., 231-798-1100. VISITATION will be 1 hour prior to the service. MEMORIALS in Ellie’s name may be made to the Muskegon Civic Theatre or the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation.
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