Elizabeth Harwick Lee, known as 'Betty' to her friends, was lovingly called 'Granny' by her four grandchildren, and their cousins. She
passed away in Tyler, Texas on Tuesday, November 19, 2013.
Betty was born July 4, 1922 to Jay L. Harwick and E. Loretta Lawler Harwick in Rochester, Minnesota. She graduated from high
school in Rochester as valedictorian. She graduated 'Cum Laude' from Northwestern University in 1944 with a bachelor's degree in
chemistry. After her return to Rochester, she worked in the Mayo Clinic Research chemistry lab from 1944 to 1949 on the isolation
and production of cortisone. During this time, she married Dr. Madison J. Lee, Jr. Following completion of his residency in General
Surgery at the Mayo Clinic, Betty and Mat moved to Tyler, Texas where they established his practice and raised a family. Her
husband, Mat, passed away March 25, 1965.
Subsequently, Betty focused her attention on her children, and pursuing a career in education. She taught mathematics at St.
Gregory Elementary School and T.K. Gorman High School during 1967 and 1968. She obtained her master's degree in mathematics
from East Texas State in Commerce in 1970. She then taught mathematics at Tyler Junior College from 1970 to 1988. She retired
from mathematics in 1988, and turned her attention to helping raise two of her grandchildren, Alex and Andrew Lee. She remained
an important role model, and loving grandmother throughout the rest of her life.
Betty was an active community leader and was a past member of several Boards including Red Cross, United Way, Camp Fire Girls,
Smith County Medical Auxiliary, and Friends of the Arts at UT Tyler. She was president of the Smith County Medical Auxiliary in
1963. She also was active in many organizations including Garden Club, Literary Club, Junior League of Tyler, Gamma Phi Beta
Sorority, Mortar Board and May Queen's Court. In addition, she was active in the Immaculate Conception Church including
membership in the Altar Society and the Perpetual Adoration Society. She believed strongly in education and was a past member of
the Tyler Catholic School Board, the Tyler Diocesan School Board, and the Immaculate Conception Parish Council.
During her lifetime, Betty had many interests. She loved to travel, and enjoyed Opera and museums. She valued her friends and
enjoyed playing Mah Jongg with many of them for many years.
She is survived by her three children Madison (Mat) J. Lee, Ill, Elizabeth (Liz) S. Lee, and Charles (Chuck) H. Lee, as well as her four
grandchildren Madison J. Lee IV, Alison KL Moyer, Alexander A. Lee, and Andrew M. Lee. Other significant members of her
'extended family' include Arielle S. Lee, Jenna M. Lee, Lindsey Lee, Erik Moyer, Mary Frances Morris, Elizabeth Brock and, of course,
"The Cousins" including: Karra, Tom, Arielle and Thomas Damiana; David, Elizabeth, Sophia, Jonathan, and Eli Shebay; Tasia and
Tucker Singleton; Andrew Michael Shebay; Elle Shebay; Laura and Ben Fuller; Andrew George Shebay.
She is preceded in death by her husband Madison J. Lee, Jr., MD (10-11-1918 to 3-25-1965), and her son John Harwick Lee (11-23-
1950 to 2-7-1951).
Special thanks to Maggie Galarza for her kind care and attention to Granny.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Lloyd James Funeral Home. Visitation will be at 5-7pm with a Rosary at 6pm on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at Lloyd James Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be Friday, November 22, 2013 at 1pm at the Chapel of Saints Peter and
Paul on the T.K. Gorman campus with Monsignor Milam Joseph officiating.
Pallbearers include Alex Lee, Andrew Lee, Madison Lee IV, Alison Lee Moyer, Jenna Lee, Robert Wickham, DJ Schick, and Jourdan
Sheehan.
Memorials may be contributed to one of her favorite organizations in support of education, The Tyler Catholic School Foundation
(P.O. Box 131175, Tyler, Texas 75713, 903-526-5988).
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