Pamela Mae Lee

Pamela “Pam” Mae (Lewis) Lee of Chatsworth, NJ, died at home, surrounded by her family, on the evening of June 30, 2026, following a courageous battle with a long illness. She was 77 years old. Pam was the most loving, warmest, and kindest person. She was special. A beautiful person inside and out, she was a devout Christian who truly lived her faith. She was strong, smart, and supportive. She was a peacemaker. Pam will be missed immeasurably by her family, friends, and countless others whose lives she touched. Pam was born in Palmerton, Carbon County, Pennsylvania, on November 12, 1948, the second child of Lawrence and Mae Lewis. She grew up in the Lehigh Valley, in Slatington, within sight of the beautiful Blue Mountain that she so loved. Around the time of her first birthday, Pam was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect at a local health clinic; the doctor told her parents to take her home and enjoy her, as she wouldn’t live long. Pam was taken to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where she began receiving yearly evaluations. She grew and thrived. Pam grew up alongside her older brother, Larry, and her younger brother, Lanny. She was a quiet, bright child and so very kind; Pam had a happy home life; her parents, Larry and Mae, were warm and loving. Her maternal aunt, Mildred “Mim,” and Mim’s husband, Walter “Wal,” lived downstairs; the couple was like a second set of parents to Pam, who was also very close to her grandparents. As a girl, Pam was active in Girl Scouts and in the Salem Evangelical United Brethren Church (later Salem United Methodist Church) of Slatedale. She was a voracious reader from an early age. Her favorite books were Heidi and Black Beauty, and she read them over and over again. She loved animals and could often be found having slipped off to play with puppies, chicks, bunnies, and kittens around the neighborhood or on her uncle’s farm. Pam loved all sports. Her doctors would not clear her to play organized sports until her senior year of high school, so before then, she satisfied herself with intramurals and pickup games of basketball, baseball, kickball, and football with the neighborhood boys. From a young age, Pam demonstrated a tender heart and a natural inclination to care for others. Her brother Larry became ill with rheumatic fever at age 5. During the 10 years that he was sick, and as he was dying, Pam would often sit with him, talk to him, and comfort him as best she could. Larry passed away at age 15, when Pam was 13 years old, a few weeks before she began high school. His death affected her profoundly for the rest of her life; the loss strengthened both her Christian faith and her desire to become a nurse. Pam attended Slatington High School, where she took courses in preparation for nursing school. She served as the girls' basketball team manager for 3 years, keeping statistics and peeling oranges on the sidelines, just to be close to the action. Just before her final year of high school, Pam received medical clearance to play organized basketball. She started every game for the varsity team during her senior year and loved playing. Pam was an excellent student; she served on the Yearbook Committee's Literary Staff, was active in the National Honor Society, and was President of the Future Nurses Club. She graduated from Slatington HS in 1966 and began the 3-year program at St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. While a nursing student at St Luke’s, Pam was elected President of the Student Council and played on the St Luke’s Girls Basketball team; she was voted “Miss St Luke’s” during her final year of nursing school. Pam graduated from nursing school in 1969 and began her career as a registered nurse on a medical-surgical floor at St. Luke’s Hospital. She also began coaching the St Luke’s Girls Basketball team, a role that she thoroughly enjoyed. Pam worked at St Luke’s for just under 10 years before transitioning to private duty nursing. She was a skilled, caring nurse who loved her job. Pam met Abbott Lee, the love of her life, in 1971. A young cranberry and blueberry grower from New Jersey, Abbott was a college friend of her brother Lanny. Abbott and Pam later began exchanging letters, and the two eventually started dating; by the time they married, the pair had become inseparable. In February of 1983, the couple married, and Pam moved to Chatsworth, New Jersey, where the newlyweds built their home in the Pines. In early 1984, the two welcomed their son, Jeremiah; their daughter, Rebekah, arrived in 1985, completing their family of four. Although she loved nursing, Pam decided to stay home with the children to devote herself fully to raising her family. She and Abbott created a safe, warm, and loving home. Pam would read to the children for hours when they were small, often until she lost her voice; she lovingly decorated for every holiday, enjoyed baking and cooking, and always made time for make-believe. She was active in her children’s school and in the yearly St. Vincent de Paul Society Christmas Giving Program at the family’s parish, the Church of the Holy Eucharist in Tabernacle. In later years, her children would fondly remember how their mom had left a career she loved to be home with them and the profound impact this decision had on their lives. Pam was endlessly supportive of her children’s dreams and educational pursuits. Jeremiah went on to earn a master’s degree in religion and culture, and Rebekah became a medical doctor. Although she lived in NJ, Pam remained very close to her parents, her Aunt Mim and Uncle Wal, and her brother’s family in Pennsylvania. She made regular day trips to see them, often weekly. Her niece, Michelle, was especially close to the family and held a very special place in Pam’s heart. After the children left home to attend college, Pam continued to spend most of her time serving others. She cared for her beloved parents and then several other family members, including her Aunt Mim and Uncle Wal, her father-in-law, Stephen, and his wife, Pearl - all of whom she loved very much - through the end of their lives, in her gentle, nurturing way. She enjoyed traveling with Abbott, watching women’s basketball, and what Abbott affectionately called her “card ministry.” Pam loved sending greeting cards and thoughtful packages, particularly to children and people living alone; she spent countless hours spreading joy to those around her. The family loved to travel together, from the very early days right up until Pam became sick; they took many treasured trips to Disney World, Maine, the West, Canada, and Europe. Pam loved trips to Maine and yearly Cousins’ Weekends with Abbott’s side of the family, the latter of which she lovingly planned in later years. When at home, the four enjoyed time on their boat and at the beach. In recent years, after Pam became sick, Jeremiah and Rebekah both moved back home to help care for their mom. The family was incredibly close and spent many cherished hours together at home, talking, laughing, and enjoying shared hobbies. Abbott tirelessly cared for Pam, as she had always cared for him. Abbott and Pam, still each other's best friend of 50 years, could almost always be found together, more often than not holding hands. Usually once a night the two would walk out to the dining room window to see if the moon was out; if it was, they would stand and gaze out at it together, as they’d done from the early years, and talk about all the blessings they’d had in their life together. They loved each other more than anything and were truly meant for one another. Pam is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Abbott W Lee of Chatsworth, NJ; her son, Jeremiah A Lee; her daughter, Rebekah M Lee; her brother, Lanny R Lewis (Sue) of Slatington, PA; brother-in-law Stephen V Lee, III (Mary Ann) of Chatsworth; 6 nieces and nephews; and many beloved great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mae A (Williams) Lewis; her father, Lawrence H Lewis; her brother, Larry H; her aunt, Mildred M (Williams) Foulk; and her grandparents. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 13th, at 11:00 am at the Church of the Holy Eucharist, 520 Medford Lakes Road, Tabernacle, NJ 08088. Relatives and friends may visit with the family on July 13th from 9:30 - 10:30 am at the Church. A reception in Hoffman Hall will directly follow the Mass. A private burial will be held at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Mount Holly. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Pam’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia at https://give2.chop.edu/

Pamela Mae Lee

November 12, 1948 - June 30, 2026