WEST FRANKFORT – Mary Jane Lee, 82, of West Frankfort, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, July 5th, 2023, after a short battle with ovarian cancer.
Janie was born on July 16, 1940, to Robert and Ethel (Miller) Curry of Orient, Illinois. She attended Orient Grade School and graduated from Frankfort Community High School in 1958.
She married her high school sweetheart, Martin D. Lee. On June 7, 2023, they celebrated 66 wonderful years of marriage! They had a beautiful life together that included three children Cindy, Carl, and Carolyn. Janie was dedicated to being a wonderful mother and said the greatest job she ever had was being a mom.
Serving the Lord was a priority to Janie. Not only in church but in her daily walks of life. She was a godly woman who loved her Savior, the Lord Jesus, with all her heart, and she loved God’s Word. She was a 63-year founding member of Bethel Community Church. She set an example for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that will lead them all their lives.
Janie was a very artistic and creative woman. Her talents in various methods of artistic painting, floral arranging, and making decorative crafts eventually led her to open her own gift shop Lee’s Flowers and Gifts.
For nearly 15 years, she owned and operated a business that was much more than a store. She loved her customers, both new and old, and enjoyed celebrating life milestones with them. Her favorite time was her annual open house to kick off the holiday season.
Thoughtful, encouraging, and honest, she embraced her role as a teacher for various classes. She enjoyed giving confidence and encouragement to those finding their talent for the first time. Whether it be a few ladies in her store or the classes she taught in Naples, Illinois, she was delighted to share her abilities.
Faith, family, and friends were everything in this journey of life.
She was preceded in death by her parents Bob and Ethel Curry; siblings Bob Curry, Tom Curry, Jeanie Wood, and JoAnn Curry; and son Carl D. Lee.
She is survived by her husband Martin D. Lee; two daughters Cindy (Brad) Tabor and Carolyn (Mike) Caracci; six grandchildren Cody (Alexa) Lee, Josh Tabor, Justin Tabor, Destiny (Robert) Lively, Lauryn Rotonda, and Layne Rotonda; two great-grandchildren Noah Tabor and Carter Lee; and special life-long friends Donna Monfredeni Clendenin and Bob and JeanAnn Nolen.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 7, 2023, at Union Funeral Home in West Frankfort with Bro. Bob Nolen officiating.
Burial will be in the Denning Cemetery on the Orient Road.
Visitation will be held from 12 to 2 p.m. prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice at Southern Illinois.