JANICE DOROTHY LEE
1932-2017
Janice Dorothy (Kniker) Lee passed away peacefully on December 12, 2017, at the age of 85. She was born September 20, 1932 in San Antonio, Texas, to Dora and Reverend Paul Kniker who precede her in death. Her sister Julia Kniker Echols also precedes her in death.
Janice was a senior at Austin High School, Austin, Texas, when she met the love of her life, Donald (Don) Lee, a student at The University of Texas, on a blind date. Two years later they were married on September 8, 1951, and they recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. She attended the University of Texas where she studied Music Education.
In their early marriage they lived in North Carolina while her husband served in the Marine Corps and then briefly in Dallas. In 1953 they moved to Houston when Don began his career with the Humble Oil Company (Exxon). From 1968 to 1972 the family was transferred several times. Janice became a master at moving and creating a beautiful home for her family in every city in which they lived including Louisville, Kentucky; New Orleans, Louisiana, and their favorite, Memphis, Tennessee. In 1972 they returned to Houston permanently.
Janice loved music and was a gifted pianist and vocalist. Once her daughters were grown she resumed her career as a piano teacher and taught piano out of her home for over three decades. Janice and Don are members of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church and Janice was involved with many community and neighborhood organizations. Janice loved needlework and one of her favorite groups, of which she helped form, was the weekly Stitch ‘n Bitch Group. Janice spent many years studying genealogy and wrote several publications of her family’s history. She loved to decorate, and their home was a celebration of every holiday. Christmas was her favorite with multiple Christmas trees throughout the house. She also was an avid antique collector.
When Don retired from Exxon in 1990 they had the opportunity to travel and spent many summers in Europe and touring the United States. Avid supporters of their university, Janice and Don were Longhorn season ticket holders for many years; although Janice was often caught needlepointing during the games.
Janice is survived by her loving husband Don; her daughters Lisa Lee White and husband Steve of Spring and Jennifer Lee Curtis of McKinney; granddaughters Lauren Anderson of Cypress, Kelsey Wicker and husband Matt of Winter Garden, Florida, Kim Curtis of McKinney and Kaley White of Houston. Her firstborn granddaughter Lauren affectionately called her “Janee”, a term of endearment that lasted the rest of her life. She also leaves a legacy of the gift of music to the hundreds of piano students she taught.
A Memorial Service will be held Monday, December 18, 2017 at 10:00 am at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home. To honor Janice’s love of music, the arts and education, donations can be made in her memory to Houston Public Media (PBS), P.O. Box 3626, Houston, Texas, 77253-3626 or at houstonpublicmedia.org.