Janet Lee's Obituary
Janet Rumberger Lee, 87, of Denver, NC, widow of the late William States "Bill" Lee, died very peacefully today, August 21, 2016, with family by her side, at her Lake Norman home. She is survived and loved by her three children, daughter Lisa Lee Morgan, son Wm States Lee and daughter-in-law Alison Butterworth Lee, and daughter Helen E Lee; five grandchildren Grace Morgan, Will Morgan, Madison Lee, States Lee, and Martin Lee, and multiple Grand-Animals.
Janet Rumberger was born in Pittsburgh in 1929 and grew up in Bethlehem, PA. The dark-eyed beauty worked at Bethlehem Steel in 1951 where she attracted the attention of 22-year-old Bill Lee, a freshly-minted Princeton engineering graduate from Charlotte, NC. The couple married in November, 1951.
Jan and Bill enjoyed their young married life in the 1950's in New Orleans and San Francisco, where Bill was stationed respectively as a Seabee in the Navy. Daughter Lisa was born in California in 1954. The young family moved to Bill's hometown Charlotte in 1955, where her husband joined Duke Power Company as a Junior Engineer. Jan and Bill had two more children, States in 1955, and Helen in 1958. Bill, with Jan's quiet steadfast support at home, became a leader at Duke Power.
Jan was a devoted wife and mother, even during the ten years of camping out on the shores of early Lake Norman. Jan and Bill Lee were the camp "parents" of Camp Lee, a rustic communal enclave where close friends and families spent summers on the lake. Jan and Bill eventually built a home near the camp site. Jan has lived in their Camp Lee home in ever since.
Always kind and truthful, Jan was a genteel lady who prided herself on being prompt, well dressed, and paying her debts to the penny. Her love and concern for all animals was as passionate as it was for her own children and grandchildren. She adored Donna and Elizabeth of Nakao Salon where she would arrive early for her appointment every Wednesday. During her final years, Jan and her family grew to love and cherish the care provided by Catherine and Kathy of Visiting Angels of Cramerton.
Jan, Mrs. William States Lee III, was a member of the Charlotte Junior League and Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. The memorial service for Mrs. Lee will be private. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be offered in Jan Lee's name to Novant Health Hospice, 324 N McDowell St #200, Charlotte NC 28204.
James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family. www.jamesfuneralhomeLKN.com
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