Winifred 'Winnie' Lee obituary

KALAMAZOO—A funeral service for E. Winifred "Winnie" Lee has been set for 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at Kalamazoo's First Presbyterian Church, 321 W. South St.

Lee died early Oct. 23 at home in Kalamazoo. She was 92.

"Kalamazoo has lost a grand lady, and Western Michigan University has lost a true friend and a longtime member of the University family," said WMU President John M. Dunn. "Winifred Lee will be remembered by generations of students on this campus for her generosity, vision and commitment to honors education."

Winnie Lee

Lee, along with her husband Carl E Lee, was a major supporter of WMU and its Lee Honors College, which was named in their honor in 1990. They also were named honorary alumni of the University.

Winnie Lee's death comes just weeks after the dedication of a major new addition to the building that houses the college, which was made possible by a $1.1 million gift from the Lees. They helped build the original building in 1990 and also established a research and travel scholarship fund for honors students.

She is survived by her husband of 72 years, Carl E Lee of Kalamazoo; a daughter, Cheryl "Cheri" Weedman and a son-in-law, Jeff Weedman, of Cincinnati; and two grandchildren, Carl Lee Weedman of Albion, Mich., and Tatiana Eloise Weedman of Cincinnati.

An Indiana native, Lee was a graduate of Maher's Business College, which was once based in Kalamazoo, and she worked as a bookkeeper for the Shakespeare Co. She was active in community affairs and was a member of the Women's Symphony. She also was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where she was part of the John Dunning Guild.

Memorials

The family requests that memorials be directed to the First Presbyterian Church, 321 W. South St., Kalamazoo, Mich., 49007, or to the West Michigan Cancer Center, Attn: Development, 200 N. Park St., Kalamazoo, Mich., 49007.