Shirley Lee

Shirley Anne Lee, 91, of Arvada, Colorado, passed away peacefully December 11, 2021. She was born October 31, 1930, in Denver, Colorado to Daniel Joseph and Anna Shirley Walsh McNamara at St Joseph Hospital. This began a tradition with four generations born at St. Joseph (Shirley, her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren).

Shirley’s life revolved around her Faith, her Family, and her Friends. Her faith in God was unshaken in good times and difficult times. God is her guiding light always. She happily shared her faith with all and lived her faith with such kindness to all. As a founding member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic church, she had a lifelong home and community. Shirley volunteered and worked on many outreach and service ministries and was lifelong friends with so many at St Joan’s.

She attended St. Dominic grade school followed by St. Mary’s Academy. She was a part of the graduating class of 1949 and has remained the best of lifelong friends with many of her childhood, grade school, and 49er classmates. Loretto Heights welcomed her and she received her college degree in 1951.

In 1951, Shirley began a 33-year career at the Bureau of Reclamation. She loved her work at the Bureau of Reclamation and the great team of coworkers she worked with. She remained lifelong friends with many of her coworkers. Shirley received many many awards for excellence, dedication, and even the employee of the year.

In 1958, Shirley and Bob Lee were married and began their life and family together. They were blessed with three children and built a wonderful home where Shirley lived for the next 63 years.

God made Shirley to be his ultimate helper. She had a wonderful smile, lots of love, lots of kindness, and the gift to know how she could help everyone she met. She was quick to share her wisdom, love, experience, kindness, an ear, a hug, a ride, or anything else you need. Shirley was always there to help prepare for every event and attend every class program, game, show, or party with her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. Thank you God for giving us Shirley, she will be missed by so many.

Shirley is survived by her three children, Kathy (Bob) Brinkman, Danny (Eileen, deceased) Lee, and Nancy (Curt) Anderson; six grandchildren, Michael, Lori (Rick), Kaley, Bridget (Neil), Gregg, and Katie; three great-grandchildren, Abbey, Maddie, and Harper; many spare children, nieces, and nephews. Preceded in death by Bob Lee.

Services will be Thursday December 23, 2021, with the Recitation of the Rosary beginning at 10am, followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:30am, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 12735 W. 58th Ave., Arvada, CO  80002. For those wishing to participate virtually or view the service at a later time, please use this link: https://youtu.be/gNC58uA_Hgw

Friends are invited to join the family for a reception immediately following the service, then burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and/or condolences on the adjoining Tribute wall. Thank you.