Joan Lee

Joan Fun Lee, age 75, died in her home in Elk Grove from natural causes on November 18, 2017. Joan was a longtime resident of Davis until she relocated to Elk Grove in 2004. Her passions were piano, church, and her children and grandchildren.

Joan is survived by her husband of 48 years, Paul Lee, and her three children, Eileen Lee, Hanna Sanchez, and Victor Lee, and six grandchildren: Kevin Harris; Augustus, Mattius, and Sissilia Sanchez; and Cailin and Vivian Lee.

Joan was born the youngest of 9 children in the Fujian province of China to the Chen family. The Chen family relocated to Taiwan in 1948. As a child, Joan demonstrated a knack for music and academics at a young age and went on to attend National Pingtung University of Science and Technology. After completing her postsecondary education, she was hired as a teaching assistant, a position extended to graduates of academic distinction in Taiwan.

In 1968, she was able to obtain permanent resident status to come to the United States and was soon followed by her fiancé, Paul Lee, also a teaching assistant. She began employment at a bank while her husband completed a degree at UCLA. While in Los Angeles, she gave birth to her eldest child, Eileen, in 1972. Shortly after, the family relocated to Davis and lived in the Orchard Park graduate student housing complex until purchasing a home in North Davis. In 1975, her second child, Hanna, was born. In 1979, her youngest child, Victor, was born. Her children were educated in Davis public schools and very active in high school athletics and performing arts programs.

Following her move to Elk Grove in 2004, Joan provided piano lessons and child care for members of her local community and participated regularly in faith and service organizations. Whenever possible, she spent time with her grandchildren and fondly shared news about them and her children with neighbors and friends.

The Davis memorial service is scheduled for Friday, December 1st at the Smith Funeral Home at 116 D Street. A viewing begins at 10:00 AM with services to begin shortly after, followed by burial at the Davis Cemetery.