Mary M. Lee, born and raised in Ocean City, NJ, passed away April 25, 2025.
She lived to 96 despite having battled lung cancer for more than 25 years. In her retirement Mary resided at the Masonic Village Retirement Community in Sewickley, PA.
In her early years at Masonic Village Mary was active in oil painting and creating woodworking projects as hobbies. In fact, over a few months she constructed a 3 ft x 6 ft. English Colonial wall cabinet under the tutelage of a master carpenter. She was also an avid world traveler having visited many countries in Asia and Europe and driving throughout the United States with her beloved dog Wynter and cat Pippin. In her late 80’s she began an extensive regime of swimming laps and long walks, frequently outperforming significantly younger people.
Mary held an undergraduate degree in chemistry from Drake University and a Master of Library Science from Pratt Institute. She spent most of her working career as a librarian specializing in sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. She was an active member of the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) in Pittsburgh.
Mary graduated from Ocean City High School in 1948, where she was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated sixth in her class academically. She was also an avid seamstress, winning the sewing award during her senior year.
Mary is predeceased by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sing W. Lee, former long-time residents who in 1922 became the first U.S. citizens of Chinese ancestry to settle in Ocean City. Additionally, she is predeceased by her siblings Gary, Floway, Hallway, Tommy, Helen and Linda Bolin.
Mary is survived by two sisters, Solin Lee (currently a resident of The Shores in Ocean City); Belinda Loo and three brothers, Kenneth, James and John. All were born and raised in Ocean City. Mary is also survived by her nieces Alexis Loo, Caryn Gross (John) and Alyssa Lee (Kim Haynes) and by her nephews Timothy Lee (Maria), Michael Loo (Jean) and Daniel, who are scattered throughout the country.
Services held privately at the convenience of the family. Arrangements entrusted to R. D. Copeland, Ltd., Irvine Chapel, Sewickley, PA.