LEE MARY KOBAYASHI

1929-2021

On July 10, Lee Mary Kobayashi passed away peacefully in her sleep with loved ones nearby. She was 91. Lee Mary lived an enviable life. She had an intellectual curiosity, a love of reading, music, art, and most importantly, people. She was the best mother anyone could hope for. Because of her warmth, thoughtfulness, and generosity, she became a mother figure for many people. Lee Mary was born the only child to Lois Williams Parsons in Beaumont at the hospital Hotel Dieu on Oct. 5, 1929. She was brought up with her two very dear cousins, David Bailey and Melvin Bailey. They were like brothers to her remaining close and telling family stories their whole lives.

Lee Mary’s greatest gift was making people she had just met feel special, loved, safe and important. She gained many surrogate children by accepting and embracing each person’s uniqueness.

Lee Mary had an insatiable thirst for learning, reading and understanding everything. She attended Rice University and earned her Master’s in Library Science and her PhD (ABD) in Children’s Literature. She worked as a school teacher, medical research librarian and school librarian sharing her love of learning with everyone she met. Working at the Texas Medical Center as a Medical Librarian inspired her to donate her body to research so she could continue helping people learn even after her life here ended.

Lee Mary was married in 1951 to her soul mate, Wally Lovejoy. After his unexpected passing in 1970, she married Riki Kobayashi, the brother of her life long friend, Mitsu Kobayashi. Riki predeceased her in 2013.

Lee Mary is survived by her daughters Susan Lovejoy and Anne Lovejoy (Cindy Altomari) , stepsons, Brock Kobayashi (Denise Hanks) and Alec Kobayashi ( Sandra Kobayashi), grandchildren Spenser Marley, Riki Kobayashi, Parker Marley and Antonio Wheeler, cousin Melvin Bailey and his wife, Linda, many other cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends both life long and recent and her grand dog Rosie.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Bayou Manor for the care and concern they showed for Mom. Details for a Celebration of Life will be published at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to a local food pantry, animal shelter, Rice University, or other charity is greatly appreciated.