Joan Lee
Civic activist, patron of the arts and loving wife and mother
Joan M. Lee, 94, beloved wife of Henry Lee, died at home on April 9.
She was born in Boston on Nov. 26, 1924, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Metcalf.
With her husband, she lived for some years in California, Germany, and Washington D.C. Returning to Boston, she resided for over 50 years on Beacon Hill where, in addition to being a housewife and raising four children, she was an independent interior decorator.
In civic life, she chaired the Curtis House Committee of the Greater Boston Fund for International Affairs, was a Board member of the Nichols House Museum and Beacon Hill Garden Club, on the Arts and House Committees of the Mass. Historical Society, a founding member of the Friends of the Public Garden, and a long-time member of the Dublin, N.H. Garden Club.
A voracious reader all her life, she was devoted as well to art and music, collecting works of art, playing the harp, and for 80 years attending the Boston Symphony.
Above all, she made for her family beautiful homes and gave to husband and children a lifetime of loving care.
She leaves her husband of 74 years, four children: Henry of Brookline, MA, Karen of Portland, OR, Eliza C. of Saint Croix, Virgin Islands and Thomas of Seattle WA., 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She also leaves a sister, Diana Stainow of New York City, and brother, R.T. Paine Metcalf of Beverly Farms, MA. Her service will be at King’s Chapel, Boston at 11 a.m., May 10. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Friends of the Public Garden, Henry and Joan Lee Sculpture Fund, 69 Beacon St., Boston 02108.