April 8, 2017
Lee, Eleanor W.
Eleanor (Motley) “Kit” Lee, of Chestnut Hill and Westwood, died peacefully at home with all her family around her. Born in Boston in 1921 to Nancy Barton Motley and John Lothrop Motley, she grew up in the Back Bay with her sisters Elizabeth Motley Ames and Nancy Motley Adams, and a brother, who predeceased her; John Lothrop Motley. She attended the Winsor School in Boston and St. Timothy’s School in Maryland. She married her first husband, William Temple Emmet, on the eve of World War II and they had a daughter, Kathleen. A U.S. Army Air Corps pilot, William was killed over Germany in 1945. Three years later, she met Richard Ward Lee. They married and had three daughters; Kristin, Linsey, and Susannah. The household in Chestnut Hill was filled the chaos of four girls, many dogs and cats, and love. After shepherding her children through the 60s, Kit dedicated herself to outside activities. Working with Pregnancy Counseling and the Samaritans Suicide Hotline in Boston, her empathy and love for people brought strength to many. She was also a volunteer at the Arnold Arboretum and a member of the Shakespeare Club. Kit had many lifelong friends and beloved relatives. She leaves her two sisters, her daughters; Kathleen Emmet of Washington D.C., Kristin Lee and her husband Jim Huston of Nahant, Linsey Lee and her husband Brendan O’Neill of West Tisbury, and Susannah Warren Lee and her husband Tom Young of Charlemont. Also her grandchildren: William, Jonathan and Emmet Darman, Wren and Mathea Lee Huston, Mya Lee O’Neill, Rosey and Sarah Young, and great-grandchildren, Jane, Emma, and Edie Darman. She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years Richard W. Lee in 2001. A funeral service will be held on April 29th at 2:00 pm at the Church of the Redeemer in Chestnut Hill, MA. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Animal Rescue League of Boston or the Samaritans of Boston.