Catherine Dupre-Lee

Catherine Virginia Dupre Lee was born on September 28, 1930 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late Louis A. Dupre, Sr. and Mary L. Dupre and was the youngest of six children (Louis, Jr., Marion, Ervin, Joseph, and Raymond), who all preceded her in death. At an early age, Catherine accepted Christ as her personal Savior and attended Our Lady of Victory and Vine Memorial Baptist Church. As a young adult, she joined White Rock Baptist Church and was a faithful member for over fifty-four years. Catherine belonged to the Sheepfold of Andrew/Martin Luther, and was also a member of the gospel chorus. Catherine was educated in the Philadelphia School System and graduated from Overbrook High School. After graduating, she fell in love with the late Russell Lee and they were united in holy matrimony. From this union, five children were born…Sharon, Rosalind, Russell, Jr., Carla, and Michael. Sharon and Russell, Jr. preceded her in death. While raising her children, she enjoyed selling Stanley home products and being a Brownie troop leader for the Girl Scouts of the United of America. Catherine was also employed by the School District of Philadelphia in the Food Services Department where she received honors for her exemplary work. Catherine had many hobbies. Upon retirement, she began attending ceramic classes with her sister, Marion, at the Salvation Army Center where she created many beautiful ceramic pieces. In addition to ceramics, she made stunning hats. Catherine enjoyed designing hats so much that she started her own business called, “Cathy’s Millinery.” Catherine was also known to be a social butterfly and loved music and dancing. If you visited her home, you could always hear various types of music playing throughout the house. Of the many past times, Catherine’s FAVORITE was shopping. She loved watching QVC and HSN! She looked forward to the packages being delivered on a regular basis! Years ago, her daughters and granddaughters couldn’t understand why she loved those shows so much, but of course they have all followed in her footsteps! In later years, she moved from the family home to Mary Fields Senior Development, where she resided for seventeen years. While living at Mary Fields, she was very involved. She was a hall monitor, who checked on other senior residents to ensure their safety every night. She was involved with the Reading Buddies Program, where she read with children who attended neighborhood elementary schools. Catherine was also a member of SOWN (Supportive Older Women’s Network) where she made beautiful quilts for individuals in need. Catherine leaves to cherish precious memories: three children, Rosalind, Carla, and Michael; seven grandchildren, Karima, Aleta (William), Juwan, Shawn, Nadir, Michael, Jr., and Maurita; great-grandchildren, Amir, Karim, and William, Jr., Chase, and Kennedy; her best friend and sister-in-law, Gladys Lee; her devoted friend, Cornell Ford, and a host of nieces, grand nieces, nephews, grand nephews, family, and friends.

Catherine Dupre-Lee

September 28, 2015