Lee Tomao

Lee was born on November 11, 1916 to parents Frank and Rose DeRita in Providence Rhode Island. She married the love of her life, Joseph Tomao. She moved to the Stanislaus County area in 1947, where she and her husband planted their roots.

She was a hard-working, fiery force of a woman. Her lifelong passion was nursing. She took excellent care of her husband Joe in his final years, until his passing in 2000. Lee worked as a nurse for over 30 years in various different departments and hospitals in the Modesto area. She was a firm believer that if you were sick, you needed to visit the Doctor and follow orders.

She and the family took many trips throughout her life. They used to travel back East to visit family, as well as many enjoyed trips to San Francisco, Monterey, Reno, and Lake Tahoe.

Lee was known for her amazing cooking and baking; she was a strong Italian woman who always made the best Sunday Family dinners. Lee also enjoyed hobbies such as gambling, shopping, bingo, and playing cards with her Golden Girl Club. She spent many years playing Bingo every Friday at the Senior Center in Modesto after Joe's passing.

She lived a wonderful life; Lee called all of the shots in her life until the very end.

Lee is survived by her son Joe Tomao (Helen); son-in-law Leo Havener; grandchildren Leo Havener Jr (Sandy), Diana Weisman, Vince Tomao (Lacey); 5 great-grandchildren: Katie, Kristine, Anelise, Monika, and her fifth being born April 2025; and four great-great-grandchildren: Charlie, Buster, Matilda, and Matea. She is preceded in passing by her husband Joe Tomao, and daughter Rosemarie Havener.

Lee was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, auntie, and great auntie. She will be missed by all.

The family would like to thank Valley Comfort and Seva Hospice for taking such great care of Lee over the last three years of her life.

A visitation for Lee will be held on Friday, December 27th at 10:00AM, with a rosary beginning at 10:30AM at Lakewood Funeral Home in the Riverside Chapel, located at 900 Santa Fe Avenue in Hughson, CA. The Celebration of Life service for Lee will begin in the Riverside Chapel at 11:00AM, with Deacon Phil Vallejo leading services. Guests are then invited to join in saying a final goodbye to Lee at graveside promptly after funeral services conclude. Lee will be laid to rest at Lakewood Memorial Park, in the Restland Garden.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Modesto Senior Citizens Center on Boden Street, in honor of Lee Tomao's memory.