Catherine Lee

Catherine M. Lee (Nee Duba) of Barrington, Illinois and formerly of Grand Rapids, MI passed away peacefully on January 28th, 2014 after a five month battle with brain cancer surrounded by her family. Catherine was born to John and Anna Duba (both deceased) on Aug. 21, 1941. Catherine is survived by her loving husband Tim of 48 years, four devoted children; Stephen (Quin), Andrea (John), Cassie and Moira (Andy) and eight grandchildren Hannah, Ann Catherine, Cooper Lee, Alexander, Catherine, Anna Hanson and Anya, Timothy Quathamer-Lee. Siblings Carol, Anna May, George, John and Dan and many nieces and nephews.

Catherine lived life to its fullest by giving 100% to every task, person and endeavor she approached. Her driving force in life is reflected well in a quote she often used in her speeches by George Eliot: “Why are we here, if not to make life less difficult for others”. She had an enormous capacity for giving – of herself, her time and her love. Her passionate spirit and overwhelming generosity made life better for every individual whose life she touched. Catherine gave tirelessly to her children and grandchildren and was a source of inspiration to everyone she met. She never gave up and always thought she could do more.

Education and learning were of paramount importance to Catherine based on the legacy left by her parents. Catherine graduated from Aquinas College in 1963 and earned a Horace Rackam fellowship to the University of Michigan in foreign languages and graduated with an MA. After teaching for three years at Purdue University and the University of Detroit, Catherine took a 20 year sabbatical to raise her 4 children where she became a community activist.

Catherine’s dedication to helping others and making the world a better place is best reflected in her commitment to her community. Catherine rose to become the first woman President of her local school board of education, serving 8 years on the Barrington District 220 School Board. She also served as a Member and Past President of the Arlington Heights District 214 Board of Continuing Education. While a member there she helped start the Catherine M. Lee Women and Children’s center.

Catherine consistently sought to change the world and believed in each individual’s capacity for growth. She was active politically and a champion of women’s issues. She served on the National Organization of Woman Business Owners as President of its largest chapter in Chicago, ran for Illinois General Assembly, US Congress in 1996 and spoke at the UN 4th World Conference on Women on Grass Roots Campaigning in Beijing, China. In 1989 she founded and established a management consultancy providing training to companies like Motorola and BP, traveling extensively to Asia, India, South and Central America, and Eastern and Western Europe. Her work in politics and in the business world led her to write a book on International negotiations.

Catherine leaves a legacy of loving and giving and a passion for life. Her family will forever hold her close in their hearts and in their thoughts. She will carry on with us in the love we share with others and in our striving to continue her legacy of giving.

“The benevolent, virtuous man is one who plants a tree under whose shade he will never sit.” -- Confucius.

Visitation will be held from 5-9p.m., Friday, January 31, 2014, at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 149 W. Main Street, Barrington, IL 60010. The Funeral Mass will be held at 11a.m., Saturday, February 1, 2014, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 120 Ela Street, Barrington, IL 60010, where there will be a second visitation held one hour prior to mass at church.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the John and Ann Duba Family Scholarship Fund, Attn: Ms. Cecilia Cunningham, Director of Major Gifts, Aquinas College, 1607 Robinson Rd., SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, 616-632-2881 for questions. Please indicate on your check that it is dedicated to the John and Ann Duba Family Scholarship Fund or the Catherine M. Lee Women’s and Children’s Center, Attn: Mike Fields, 2121 S. Goebbert, Arlington Heights, IL 60005.

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