Obituary of Erica K. Lee

Erica Kristin Lee, 43, passed away on Monday, August 19, 2024 after an 8-year battle with cancer. She died at home on hospice surrounded by her mother and father. She had valiantly accepted all courses of palliative chemo for cancer of unknown primary. Her fortitude, courage, and kindness will be fondly remembered by those she loved. 

The day before she died, her closest friends visited her, stretched out beside her on her bed, shared funny stories, and laughed a lot. During this love fest, the Stake President stopped by to visit her. He blessed and passed the sacrament and the mood immediately turned to the sacred with all experiencing a shared moment of profound reverence and gratitude for Erica and the life she lived. She was always kind to and inclusive of everyone, always thinking of others...in fact, she drove sisters to Boston for their medical appointments, delivered meals, and bought things that she appreciated in her own illness journey. Once, a woman with cancer remarked on Erica's slippers, her favorite from LL Bean. She ordered a pair and presented them to that woman on her next clinic appointment. She liked wedge pillows and bought those for others with cancer because she found them so helpful. She turned her wisdom into action, always figuring out what she could do to help. 

As her strength continued to fail, Erica’s bucket list turned from travel to three things that mattered most. The first was spending as much time as possible with her family under one roof. We spent a long weekend on the Cape made possible by her brothers transporting the dialysis machine and boxes of supplies. She barely left her bedroom but was happy with the family visiting her and knowing everyone was enjoying themselves. Her brothers, their wives, and nieces visited her often, sharing a meal, and watching movies. 

The greatest honor (and most fun) of her life was serving as President in the Young Women's Organization in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her happy place was Camp Zion in Raymond, NH, where her girls spent a week each summer. A friend wrote about Erica in her teen years when she herself was a camper, “The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Erica is girls camp. I think sometimes she may have felt a little uncomfortable in other settings or maybe she wasn’t quite sure where/how she fit in. But things were different at girls camp. There she really seemed to come into her own. She became this energized, light-hearted, bandana-wearing, song-singing, camp queen.” She later went to girls camp for years as a leader preparing for it just as she did when she was a younger camp queen. 

Despite her frail, weakened state this summer, she dreamed of going to Camp Zion. That was #2 on her revised bucket list. After a dialysis session, we packed up and headed north in 99- degree weather. It was really important to her that she share her happy place with me. Somehow, she was granted the strength she needed to get there. We visited twice in two days. Women were solicitous of her needs, making sure that fans were aimed at her and that she was as comfortable as possible. She was radiant. She saw her girls. She was in charge of YCL appreciation lunch activities which were geared to the camp theme of the Olympics. She had purchased white, flat sheets for togas, gold rope to tie at the waist, metal crowns, and huge gold medals. Erica gave them an inspirational message before the ‘toga lunch” which was meant to honor the youth camp leaders. 

The final item on her revised bucket list was to take the girls blueberry picking. The Lord gave her strength to get into the car and make the trip. She treated everyone to lunch at Friendly's in Middleboro before going to the blueberry field. It was unusually cool on that August day with a light breeze, perfect weather for her. With help from Ruthie McGill and Marybeth Cornwall, we were able to push the transport chair into the blueberry field to find the largest, fattest blueberries. She was elated although it took her 2 days to get her little energy back. It didn't matter. She did it and was thrilled. A week later, she died.

A graduate of Duxbury High School (1999), she earned a BA in Classical Studies at BYU. Later, she completed an MS in business at BSU. She retired from Boston Medical Center as a senior financial analyst after her health declined. Prior to BMC, she worked at Beacon Partners in Weymouth and Rockland Trust in Mashpee. 

Erica was a woman of faith, an unwavering devoted Latter-day Saint who never drank coffee, tea, or alcohol, never saw an R-rated movie, accepted all church assignments, and loved unconditionally. Her awkward teenage years turned to love and empathy for others and resulted in a strong commitment to accepting everyone. It didn't matter about your religion, your activity in a church, or who you loved--Erica was Christlike in her acceptance and love for everyone. If she knew or even sensed that you needed something or a listening ear, she was there. 

She leaves behind her mother, Susan, her father Bill, brother Chris and his wife Gini of Boston, and brother Steve and his wife Holly and their two adorable daughters, Maddie and Adelaide of Norwell along with her favorite Aunty Patty and others. 

Her hobby/obsession was Legos. The castle/knights sets. Typically, boxes arrived weekly from Europe with little sets of this and that. She also liked gaming on her Switch. She loved Star Wars movies and recent spin-offs like Mandalorian and  Acolyte. She loved watching movies with her dad and brothers. She was an avid reader and always up to date on current events although you wouldn’t know it—she rarely discussed politics with those outside the family.

She insisted on all possible treatments for her cancer. After a critical illness in March 2024, Erica came to accept the slowed-down version of her life. She was cared for expertly by Panagiotis Konstantinopoulos, MD at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for over 6 years and had a special bond with Susanne Menon, DNP, WHNP-BC, OCN, ACHPN who called Erica a “magical human being,” Her nephrologist, Umut Selamet, MD, not only made sure all chemo and meds were dosed appropriately for her failing kidneys, she was always available for any questions, even checking in on Erica during her vacation. Erica required hemodialysis for the last 5 months which took place at home under the direction of Fresenius Medical Care. 

Finally, the cancer and the treatment effects were overwhelming. Fully aware of her prognosis, she prepared for death by getting her affairs in order and figuring out what to do with her possessions. Old Colony Hospice cared for her during her last 3 weeks.

She faced end-of-life the same way she faced cancer--with courage and dignity while continuing to care about other people's needs and feelings. She was a light in this world and her legacy will continue. 

You are invited to her funeral which is Friday, August 30 at 10:00 am at the Hingham Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 379 Gardner St., Hingham, MA.  A zoom link is also available https://zoom.us/j/98203075377

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Erica’s name to:

Camp Zion—New Hampshire

c/o Vicky York

30 Onway Lake Rd.

Raymond, NH 03077