Jeanette (Weiner) Lee of Wayland, who previously lived in Chelsea and was the matriarch of a prominent and longstanding Chelsea family, passed away on January 23, 2018.
Jeanette Weiner Lee.
The beloved spouse of the late Charles L. Lee, she is survived by her devoted children: Donald Charles Lee and his wife Nancy of Holbrook, JoAnne D. Lee-Nieves and her husband Carlos Juan of Mattapan, Michele L. (Lee) LaCosta and her husband Charles of Holbrook, and Brian R. Lee and his wife Jodi Pages-Lee of Wayland. She was the loving daughter of the late Morris Paul Weiner and Anne (Babner) Weiner, and the dear sister of Esther Wexler of Norton, Irving D. Weiner of Norton, and the late Lily Celata, Evelyn Sweeney and Rae Cummings. She had 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Born and raised in Chelsea, Mrs. Lee attended the Chelsea School System. Throughout her life, particularly in her later years, she shaped and inspired numerous young people in Chelsea. For 25 years she taught Sunday school at the People’s Baptist Church Chelsea. Among her many roles, she served as Past President of the PTA at the Williams School, Chelsea, Secretary of the Women’s’ Progressive Club in Everett, a member of the Wayland Women’s Club, Secretary of the Greater Boston Baptist Association, Secretary of the Sister International and, most recently, a member of the Women’s Ministry of Ebenezer Baptist Church. Yet her truest passion remained her family.
She made it a point to attend her children’s school events and took great satisfaction in recognizing their achievements both athletically and academically.
The Lee children demonstrated throughout their lives the same qualities their parents embodied—kindness, generosity, warmth, and approachability—by supporting those in need and guiding young people through their positive examples and encouraging words.
The Lee family earned considerable admiration throughout Chelsea.
For many Chelsea softball enthusiasts, the late Charles Lee remains a cherished memory. As an umpire in the Chelsea Fast Pitch Softball League, he elevated the role to an art form. Players, coaches, and spectators held in high regard this charismatic official, who made his calls with both skill and grace while maintaining an impeccably pressed uniform at all times. Mr. Lee was the sponsor of the Charles Lee Disposal team in the Chelsea Men’s Basketball League, which brought together Donald Lee with his former high school classmates, among them his cousin Leo Robinson, Bobby Long, Dale Johnson and Donald Wolcott.
JoAnne Lee-Nieves achieved considerable success as a women’s basketball coach and was inducted into the state Hall of Fame. The inner-city women she coached and mentored found in her an exemplary role model.
Councillor-at-Large Leo Robinson characterized his aunt, Jeanette, as “a big influence on many young people in Chelsea who grew up to lead very positive lives.”
“She was a beautiful, wonderful person – a great lady,” Robinson continued. “She was a very sensitive human being who really loved people.”
Chelsea grieves the loss of an exceptional woman whose affection and warmth enriched her family and all those privileged to know her.
A Funeral Service will be held at the Torf Funeral Chapel, 151 Washington Avenue, Cary Sq, Chelsea on Monday, January 29th at 11AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Interment will follow in North Cemetery, Wayland. A Memorial Service honoring Jeanette will take place on Saturday, February 3rd at 11AM at the Ebenezer Baptist Church-157 West Springfield St., South End, Boston, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jeanette’s memory to the Animal Rescue League of Boston-10 Chandler St., Boston, MA 02116 or to the American Kidney Fund-11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852. Visit www.torffuneralservice.com for guestbook and directions.