Maureen Lee (1948-2021)

Maureen cherished life and was deeply loved by her family and friends.  Her real passion in life was spending time with her grandchildren, especially vacationing together, going on outings, watching them perform, and attending their games, concerts, and school events. Maureen loved celebrating her family’s special occasions.

Throughout her life, Maureen enjoyed using her cooking talents to entertain everyone at their ranch.  Maureen loved the ranch life where everyone was welcome, and the kids had room to explore and play.  This was her life’s dream and she loved when everyone could be together under one roof.  She was absolutely the best friend, wife, mother, sister, and grandmother ever!  

Maureen was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 24, 1948.  She passed away on April 16, 2021 in Jacksonville, Texas after a 4-month battle with cancer.  She was our hero and a warrior!  

Maureen graduated from Bogan High School in 1966.  After graduation, she married and moved to Okemos, Michigan where she began her family a year later.  Maureen had 3 daughters and a son.  In 1976, the family moved to Kingwood, Texas where she kept her daughters active in dance, gymnastics, horseback riding, softball, cheer, drill team and her son active in gymnastics, football, and baseball.  

Maureen met the love of her life, Phil Lee, and his daughter Landi while working at Universal Services Company Inc. and living in Kingwood, Texas.  Maureen and Phil played softball together where she was their star pitcher, and the pitcher’s mound became the site of his marriage proposal.  They were married in 1985 and became an instant family of seven.  They were active and loved vacationing, attending concerts, and outdoor activities.  Her favorite family vacation spot was camping on the Guadalupe river where they always found the perfect campsite next to the sound of moving water.  

In 1991 Phil and Maureen moved to East Texas then in 2005 discovered a new passion and adventure – trail rides. 

They spent time traveling the world and recently rode the trails at Bryce Canon, Utah and the Grand Teton mountains in Wyoming.

Maureen will be lovingly remembered by her husband Phil Lee, daughters Tammy Cooper, April Schafer, Wendy Cox and husband, Todd, and Landi Lee.  Her grandchildren, Gabriel Schafer, Emily Schafer, Caleb Cox, Zach Cox, Adam Cox, Christian Cooper, Cindy Cooper Scott; Great grandson Easton Herman; Brothers Mike Axel and David Deady; Sister Candy Dicky, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Maureen was preceded in death by her parents Standale Axell and Gerri Deady, her beloved son David Cooper, and many adored dogs.