Renee Overell Lee, 87, loving wife and mother, passed away peacefully in her sleep during the late evening hours of September 17, 2011. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Lael C. Lee, Jr., 90, and her three children, Dr. Melinda Lee Jackson, Christopher S. Lee, and Stephen C. Lee, and their spouses. Also surviving her are 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Renee was born in Los Angeles on April 1, 1924. She was raised in the Catholic faith and attended Immaculate Heart High School. Her studies continued in history at the University of Southern California where she met her future husband, Lael, in 1942. She graduated from USC in 1946 and was active in Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

Renee wed 1st Lt. Lael C. Lee, Jr. in Denver, Colorado in the Catholic chapel at Lowry Airfield on April 29, 1945. She was active in the Visiting Nurses Association, The Junior League, and other service organizations. Renee Lee and her dear friend Maxine Lakin started the Visiting Nurse Service Association Used Book Sale in Phoenix and this has grown since 1957 to be the largest used book sale in the Southwest. During their marriage, Renee and Lael had many friends and lived in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salinas, Palm Desert, and Dana Point, where they retired.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, Sept 21 at 10 am at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Dana Point, California.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Visiting Nurse Association Hospice of Orange County.