Jessie A. Lee, 91, of LaPorte, departed this life on Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, at Settler’s House, LaPorte, surrounded by family and holding longtime friend Betty Hull’s hand.
Jessie, the third of four children, was born June 25, 1922, in Graceville, MN, to Clyde and Sarah (Young) Williams. After her mother’s death, Clyde married Hannah (Young) Lee, who raised all four children. The family later relocated to Mishawaka, IN.
Jessie entered nursing school in September of 1940, where she met lifelong friend Betty Hull. The two were roommates at St. Joe School of Nursing in Mishawaka and graduated in 1943. Jessie then began working at Fairview Hospital in LaPorte. While working, she rented a room in LaPorte from Ms. Mabel Weaver, who was a good friend of Hazel Lee. Hazel met Jessie and asked her to write letters to her son, Jack Jewett Lee, while he was serving in the Army Air Corps in the South Pacific. Jessie wrote, and on Feb. 24, 1946, the two were married in LaPorte.
The couple had two sons, Terry Michael, born Dec. 12, 1946, and David Allen, born Aug. 24, 1948.
Jessie worked for 25 years as a registered nurse at LaPorte Hospital, retiring in 1972. She was a member of LaPorte Missionary Church, LaPorte Hospital Retirees and LaPorte Business Girls, past president of American Legion Auxiliary of Kingsford Heights, IN, and was a “Secret Sister” at her church. Jessie enjoyed gardening and especially loved spending time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son, David; her brother, Albert Williams; and her sisters, Ethel Shorb and Frances Beebee.
She is survived by her son Terry (Sandra) Lee and Terry’s children: Sheryl Bowers, Jennifer (Richard) Geyer, Alicia (Alexander) Gerber, Melissa Lee, and Michael Lee. She is also survived by David’s widow, Cindy (Creed) Lee, and David’s children, Adam (Dawn) Lee, Shawn Marie Lee, Christopher (Cindy) Lee and Ryan Lee. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and her friend of over 70 years, Betty Hull.
The family will receive friends at Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services, LaPorte, on Thursday, Jan. 16, from 4 to 8 p.m. and Friday, Jan. 17, from 10 to 11 a.m. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Carl Galloway officiating. Jessie will be laid to rest next to her husband Jack at Rolling Prairie Cemetery, Rolling Prairie, IN.
Memorial contributions may be made to LaPorte Missionary Church, 104 E. 18th St., LaPorte, IN 46350.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.haverstockfuneralhome.com.