Irene H. Lee's Obituary
Lee, Irene Simone Hernandez "Renee'," was born in Tampa on 28 Oct 1927 and just as her husband Jim, she passed from the loving arms of her daughter into the arms of our Lord. After more than a decade of Alzheimer's she passed peacefully into eternal rest on 19 Jan 2012 in Tampa. Together with her husband she taught her children what parents should be: loving though firm, never a friend, yet totally supportive. She was "the rock" of 4 generations. Her children, grandchildren, parents, aunts and uncles, sisters and brother always knew they could count on her, lean on her or call for her help. She would drop whatever and come. She attended every gathering even though she was famously late, always the last to arrive. She could be counted on to bring her famous iced tea, potato salad, mashed potatoes, green beans or at Noche Buena her delicious roast pork. When her beloved Jim died so did the support that allowed her to always be there for her family. Unbeknownst to all he was her strength. That and the insidiousness of Alzheimer's brought an end for her and the entire family. Irene was a lifelong native of Tampa. She attended Tampa Bay Blvd Elementary School, West Tampa Jr High and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1946 where she had been a member of the band and a majorette. Known to family and business associates as Renee' she was a cosmetologist for most of her adult life owning Renee's House of Beauty on N Armenia Ave in West Tampa until an auto injury caused her to close. She went on to be a Realtor Associate becoming a Million $ Seller before Jim's death and Alzheimer's made it impossible for her to work. Irene was predeceased by her beloved husband James Edward Lee, cherished parents Roy Cesar and Mariana Lima Hernandez, great granddaughter Nessa, precious grandmother Caridad Rodriquez Lima, sister America Gonzalez (Emilio) aunts : Hilda Suarez (Joe), Mary Allen (John), Casimira Lima, Caridad Menendez (Loel), and uncle : Pedro Lima (Inez), Lorenzo Lima (Jennie). Left to cherish her memory are her daughter C Angel Lee, son James Edward Lee II (Holly), granddaughters Ca-Lee Simone (Josh) and Amy Nicole Lee, great grandson Dagen Ragnor Lee-Odinkar and grand dogs Attila and Luna. In addition Renee' is survived by sisters Irma Magoon, Orchid Rogers (Richard), Carrie Deeker (Don), Rita Carreno (Gale) and Joylin Lane (Alan) and brother Roy Hernandez Jr and a multitude of nieces/nephews, great nieces/nephews and great great nieces/nephews. The family would like to thank the staff and care givers of Jennie's ALF for the care shown during the short time she was there. The devoted love and attention she received is sincerely appreciated. We would also like to thank Life Path Hospice Teal Team who made the transition from life to death as loving and as peaceful as possible. Lastly but not least a special thanks to her sister Orchid for the extraordinary love, care and support she gave her sister during these last ten years, it did not go unnoticed by Irene. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Assoc or Life Path Hospice Teal Team.
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