Esther Lee

Esther was the second oldest of ten children, of which two passed away in infancy. She helped the family by cooking and looking after her younger siblings along with working in the family grocery store. In 1930, Esther and older sister, Rose, went to China to get a Chinese education. Later on, the rest of the family joined them in China. With the outbreak of World War II, the family returned to Phoenix. During the war years, Esther and her sisters sold war bonds and entertained Chinese cadets.

In 1947, Esther married Louis Lee, and the two went into their own grocery business. Their first son, Errol, was born in 1949, and their second son, Glenn, was born in 1952. During this time, Louis and Esther started a restaurant business, Pagoda. Louis ran the restaurant, and Esther practically ran the grocery store by herself, while caring for their two young sons. The grocery store was eventually sold, so Louis and Esther could focus on the one business. In 1958, Louis and Esther had a third son, Chuck, making them a family of five.

In 1965, Louis and Esther sold Pagoda to open Lee's Food Shop, a family operated restaurant, and a laundromat a bit later. After 15 years, the restaurant was sold in 1980 when Louis retired, but Esther still felt the desire or need to work. She worked for Super X Drugs, North High School, Camelback High School, a local restaurant, and Dillard’s department store, before retiring to enjoy her family and grand daughters full time. She also enjoyed aerobic exercise and line dancing at the senior center where she made many friends.

Esther was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Louis, and is survived by her sons, Errol, Glenn (Jane), Chuck (Vicki); granddaughters, Diana, Tracy and Kristi; step granddaughters Stephanie and Emily, step great grandchildren, David, Evan, Shannon, and Lauren; sisters Vivian Ko, Gladys Ikeda (Bob); and many nieces and nephews.

Family prefers donations, in lieu of flowers to

Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue,

PO Box 2846, Novato, CA 94948. http://www.bayareagsr.org/about-us/49-donate;