Maria Inge Lee, 94, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. Maria was one of 10 children born to Nikolaus and Anna Thees in the village of Gutenthal, in Germany. After WWII, working at the American military base in Baumholder, Germany she met and married SGT William (Bill) H. Lee of Springfield, Massachusetts. For the next 25 years she raised a family of 4 while living at military bases in the US and Germany, retiring with her husband to Huntsville in 1976. Always active, she managed a Stars and Stripes bookstore and delivered papers in Mannheim, Germany. In Huntsville, she had a loyal following for her buttermilk biscuits which she prepared for many years at 2 establishments in southeast Huntsville. She was an avid walker until late in life and engaged freely in conversation with a big heart and empathy.
Maria “Oma” is survived by her children, William Lee and fiancé, Elizabeth of San Francisco, CA, Patricia Lee-Leonard and husband, Larry of San Diego, CA, Debbie Lee-Cassimus and husband, David of Huntsville, and Mary Ann Lee and husband, David of San Diego, CA; her grandchildren, Nicholas Lee of Denver CO and David Lee and wife, Jamie of Denver CO, Torrey and William “Jessi” Cassimus of Huntsville, and Max Leonard of San Diego CA; and a great grandson, Julian William Lee-Trafficanda of Denver CO.
A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 8 at Maple Hill Cemetery with Father Tim Pfander officiating.
