Christine A. Lee

To all of the Lee family and the Horne family, I send all of my deepest and heartfelt sympathy. As you all know, I spent a good amount of time in Virginia with Uncle Harry and Aunt Christine. She is (NOT WAS) my favorite aunt and one of my favorite people in the world, and you know I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I remember so vividly Dad’s and my ritualistic routine that we would go through whenever we would come to visit. First, we would go to Safeway to buy Aunt Christine flowers and occasionally a bottle of wine for the family. When we would arrive at the house, we’d walk in the door and immediately be run down by Hunter and Shooter. Finally, when they realized who we were, they would go back to doing whatever it was they were doing. I have a clear picture in my mind of Aunt Christine in the kitchen. She was always in the kitchen for one reason or another; I think it was her favorite room (actually, I know it was; I asked her once and she confirmed it). Anyway, sometimes she would be standing at the little vertex in the counter watching the small television. If we arrived in the evening, she would be standing at the stove, stirring vegetables or pasta or something of the like. Dad would walk in with the flowers behind his back EVERY TIME, as if he thought that Aunt Christine would forget that he bought her flowers every single time! She was always such a sport about it, though. She always was so grateful for those flowers, and she would immediately put them in a vase. After making small talk, Dad would normally go to find Uncle Harry, but I would stay in the kitchen and talk to Aunt Christine. She was one of the easiest people to talk to; you could talk to Aunt Christine about anything in the world, and she would listen intently and give her advice or respond to it. I think that she enjoyed talking to me, or at least I hope she did because I enjoyed talking to her more than I could ever tell her (and I did tell her, every time we were in Virginia!). One of the days that Dad and I were in Virginia, it was traditional for Dad, Uncle Harry, Marc, and Chris to go play golf, no matter the weather. It could be hailing the size of watermelons, but they would still be trudging up the greens! Aunt Christine and I stayed home during those golfing trips. We might sit on the couch in the family room and watch television together, sit in the kitchen and talk, or else go to the grocery store. Now, going to the grocery store with Aunt Christine was something amazing. It was almost spiritual, if I can go that far. When we’d walk in through the automatic doors, we’d do some of out best talking; she was inspired in the grocery store! And she knew where every single thing was! She navigated perfectly around, and she would ask my advice about whether or not to buy a certain thing. She always let me pick out the fruits and vegetables (my favorites)! G-d, I love my favorite aunt! She always called me, “Sweetie.” In that comforting voice she had, she would always make me feel better. Talking to my aunt Christine was like listening to rain fall or listening to Frank Sinatra sing. There was something very soothing and very loving about her voice and her facial aspect that made me love her even more. She was a terrific lady, one of the greatest in the world that there ever will be. SHE WAS THE GREATEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE LEE FAMILY! I simply adore her! You know, I never expected to express my condolences of Aunt Christine at my early age of 17. It simply is not right for a 53 year old woman to lose her life; it’s just not! It angers me tremendously. One thing is for sure: my future trips to Virginia will not compare to those with Aunt Christine. Virginia suffers without her darling presence, truly. She was the best, and I love her more than anyone can know. I’ll still be keeping in touch with her, though. Whenever anything is wrong with me, I will pray to her, just as I pray to my grandpa and my grandmother. I have a “fan club” in Heaven of people who watch out for me, and now Aunt Christine can keep watch over me, making sure that I don’t do anything idiotic or careless. MY LOVE AND DEEPEST REGARDS TO EVERYONE, Ryan “Sweetie”

Dear Aunt Carol and Uncle Dave, My deepest sympathies go out to you both at this sad time. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am sure that Chris is playing Shanghi Rummy, right now with her Aunt Betty, while Uncle Jimmy is being told to go out to buy the snacks! Love you both, Eileen Love also to Brian and family, Harry and Jess

Harry & Family I am really sadden to hear about the passing of Christine. I will continue to keep you and your family in my prayers. God Bless.