Virginia Lee (Gena Lee) Conrad

Virginia Lee (Gena Lee) Conrad (Hill), 85, passed away surrounded by family on Thursday, December 22, 2022, in Parker, Colorado. Gena Lee was born on July 18, 1937, in Pontiac, Michigan to Henry and Virginia (Kendall) Hill.

Gena Lee grew up in Whittier, California, where she attended Whittier High School and participated in homemaking activities.

In 1955, Gena Lee enrolled at Whittier College. After one year, she enrolled at Long Beach State College, where she earned a Bachelor of Social Studies with a teaching minor in History. While attending university, Gena Lee spent a year studying in Edinburgh, Scotland, traveling throughout the British Isles and Europe during school breaks. After earning her degree, Gena Lee married Edward (Ed) Conrad and became a long-time resident of Apple Valley, California. Gena Lee began her teaching career with the Victor Valley Union High School District, leaving the profession for several years to raise her family. After raising their children, Gena Lee returned to work as a teacher in the Hesperia Unified School District, where she taught home economics and math. Gena Lee twice served as President of the Victor Valley Chapter of the American Association of University Women. Gena Lee retired from teaching in 1996. Ed and Gena Lee moved to Colorado in 2013.

Gena Lee was known for gathering family and friends in her home for meals, a quick wit, and sharp observation. Gena Lee’s pleasures were cooking, baking, shopping, sewing, enjoying chocolate and coffee, antiquing, traveling, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Gena Lee was preceded in death by her husband, Ed, in 2018. Gena Lee is survived by her brother, Dixon (Mary) Hill of Loveland, CO; son, Thomas (Deborah) Conrad of Apple Valley, CA; daughter, Elizabeth  (Steven) Conrad-Posey of Parker, CO; and son, Steven (Noelle) Conrad of Wrightwood, CA. Gena Lee is survived by her grandchildren; Jacob (Linette) Conrad of Wichita, KS; Virginia (Bijen) Shrestha of Park City, KS; Thomas (Katherine) Conrad, of Goddard, KS; Staff Sergeant Edward Conrad of Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany; Kendall (Teresa) Posey of Parker, CO; Cameron Conrad-Posey of Aurora, CO; Hadley Conrad of Wrightwood, CA; Ethan Conrad of Wrightwood, CA; and a host of extended family and friends.

A Celebration of Gena Lee's life will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, January 6, 2023, at Horan & McConaty, 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave., Aurora, CO, 80014, with Pastor Phil Vaughan officiating. Interment will take place in a private ceremony at a date to be determined.

Family and friends are invited to share memories of Gena Lee and condolences with her family by sharing on the adjoining Tribute Wall.