Angela Dawn Lee, age 46, of Brookville, Indiana died Thursday, May 11, 2023 at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana.
She was born May 1, 1977 in Connersville, Indiana to Vicki (Race) Lee & the late Robert Edward ‘Ed’ Lee.
Angie went to school at Laurel Elementary and was a 1996 graduate of Connersville High School where she attended their invaluable programs for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Angie also attended the WATCH Center in Brookville. There she found a strong and supportive group of friends and staff. She was very outgoing and loved participating in the many programs they offered. She was an athlete with the Franklin County Special Olympics, competing in Bocce, bowling, basketball, volleyball, snowshoeing, and track and field. And as much as Angie enjoyed her own sports activities, one of her absolute greatest pleasures was attending her nephew’s sporting events. She was their biggest fan.
Angie was a social butterfly. She didn’t know a stranger and at community events she would work her way through a crowd, moving from friend to friend with kind words, smiles, and hugs. Another favorite past time was to go…..anywhere! If you asked Angie if she wanted to go somewhere she answered with a resounding yes without even knowing where she was going. You could be assured, too, that she would be showered (never fewer than 2-3 a day), dressed in something she loved – bright colors or a Franklin County Wildcat, Franklin County Special Olympics, Indiana University, or Cincinnati Reds shirt – and have on her trademark fanny pack, which she never left home without. You could also be positive she’d be ready and waiting outside at least two to three hours earlier than she needed to be. She took punctuality to a whole new level.
Angie was a lifelong member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Brookville, Indiana, but her faith knew no boundaries. If there was a Church in Franklin County that would pick her up in their church van, you could bet she was attending their services. This was just one more reason her community network was so full and far reaching. The outpouring of love and prayer from local churches and individuals throughout her hospitalization and illness just took our breath away and we thank you deeply for caring so much about her.
Angie was affectionately called Gladys by her brothers. She adored Rob and Mic, and like all good sibling relationships they picked on her as often as they could and worked hard to drive her crazy (although they were also her greatest protectors). No one could get her to laugh like they could, and they took great pleasure in doing it. They would have her laughing so hard she would lose her breath, her entire face would turn red, and they would have to yell, “Breath, Gladys! Breath!” We think she was pretty fond of her sisters-in-law, too. Or, she was at least fond of their cooking, always gladly taking home any leftovers. She would even return the empty containers telling them to fill them up again and bring them back. And, as sweet and fun-loving as she typically was, she could also be stubborn and feisty, especially when told she couldn’t do something she wanted to do. If she was mad, you knew it. She would sulk around and mutter under her breath or give you the cold shoulder until she got over it. But we loved that spunky side of her as much as her sweet side. She was a big fan of family gatherings, where she could be heard repeatedly saying some of her favorite phrases like, “Whatever”, “Yeah, right”, and [usually to Rob or Mic] “You Brat!” She enjoyed bossing her nephews around, and because she always got on them for splashing too much when swimming at her house she earned the nickname, Pool Nazi. She loved playing games, watching movies, lounging in her own bed, cuddling her baby doll Paisley, and especially receiving and opening any presents that she’d carefully made lists for when her birthday and Christmas were near. We could always count on the request for a brightly colored new pair of tennis shoes and a Mickey Mouse watch…every single year. She was a creature of habit. And despite how much Angie loved to go, go, go…home was her happy place and Vicki was her safe space.
On February 9, 2023 Angie suffered a medical crisis resulting in hospitalization, where she remained in critical care for much of her three month stay. Vicki advocated and fought fiercely for Angie, and the medical team at IU Methodist provided the best care. But, despite receiving every opportunity modern medicine could offer she was just too sick and too weak to heal. At 6:44 a.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2023 our sweet Angie died peacefully in her sleep. She was shrouded in love and surrounded by her family – Vicki, Rob, Mic, Julie and Tink – who were honored to be there with her until her last breath was taken and her pain turned to peace. Our hearts are broken, and we will miss her beyond words, but we are grateful to God that he allowed us to be Angie’s family. One of our greatest gifts in this lifetime is to have loved her and to have been loved by her in return.
Angie is survived by her mother, Vicki Lee of Brookville, Indiana; two brothers, Rob (Wanda ‘Tink’) Lee of Brookville, Indiana and Mic (Julie) Lee of Brookville, Indiana; four nephews, Jarred Harrison, Jacob Lee, Isaiah Lee, and Adam Lee; her paternal grandmother, Norma Thompson of Buena Vista, Indiana; her Godmother, Melanie (Emigh) Swartz of Blooming Grove, Indiana and Godfather, Larry Wolff of Brookville, Indiana; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, all of whom she cherished.
We take comfort in knowing that Angie’s Heaven is filled with people she loved, including her father, Robert Edward ‘Ed’ Lee and her grandparents, Fred & Agnes Race, Morton ‘Dodo’ Lee, and Geary Miller who she loved as a father figure. She now lives in the glorious comfort of the arms of Jesus until we see her again.
Family & friends may visit from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Monday, May 15, 2023 at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Avenue, where the Holy Rosary will be recited at 7:30 P.M.
Rev. Vincent P. Lampert will officiate the Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 145 East St. Michaels Blvd., Brookville. Burial will follow in St. Michael Catholic Cemetery where Rob Lee, Mic Lee, Jarred Harrison, Jacob Lee, Isaiah Lee and Adam Lee will serve as pallbearers.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Masses or Special Olympics Franklin County. The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home are honored to serve the Lee family. To sign the online guest book or send personal condolences please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com