Maria Luisa Lee

Maria Luisa “Lita” Lee, Mother, Grandmother, Wife, and dear Friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Petaluma on February 10, 2023, as a result of brain cancer. She was 69 years old. Surrounded by her husband of 46 years and children she raised in the same house, Maria was comforted by family and friends, sharing memories by those blessed to know her. Partner in life and craftwork, she is survived by her husband Donald Lee, a duo that together on most weekends accomplished spectacular creative projects around the house. She is survived by her daughter Christina Lee Gibson (Stephen), sons Michael (Amanda) and Manuel Lee, her father Arthur Rodriguez Sr., sister Laura Dudley, brother Arthur Rodriguez Jr. and two wonderful grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother Laura Rodriguez, and her sister Rosario Wheeler.

Maria was born October 17, 1953, in Tepic, Nayarit in Mexico, and raised in San Francisco, California. Following her high school graduation, she attended business school and began work at Bank of America where she was destined to meet the love of her life, Donald Lee. After a brief six weeks of courtship, Don and Maria were married. Together, the two moved north to Petaluma. Initially hesitant about the distance from her family, Maria would come to embrace this beautiful city as her forever home.

Secondary to raising children, with lots of love and support and her closeness to family, Maria’s life was fulfilled by her crafts, which were really art. Needlepoint, crochet, quilting, collecting miniature relics, and generating displays were some of her many forms of beautiful expression. Not a wall in the house is without an item of significance to her. She could tell you the background and story behind each “piece” she has in her home; everything had genuine value to her.

Maria has a beautiful soul: loving, strong, complex, and genuine. Please join us in the celebration of her life on February 27 at 11 a.m., at Mass at St. James Catholic Church in Petaluma. Inurnment will immediately follow at 12:30 p.m. at Calvary Cemetery in Petaluma.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to an Animal Rescue or Service Organization. Maria sheltered many dogs and cats from shelters, many as seniors with ailments that made them less desirable for adoption.