Patricia "Patsy" Ann Lee

Patricia Ann Lee passed away from complications of Multiple Sclerosis on January 14, 2023 at the Crest Nursing Home in Butte, MT.  Born February 7, 1950 to William A. “Ty” Lee, a gentle Irish smelterman, and Ann Grgurash Lee, a tough-as-nails Croatian housewife.  Patsy was an Anaconda original whose values and character reflected her hometown.

Patsy attended St. Peter’s Grade School and Anaconda Central High School (class of 1968).  She worked at the Washoe Market and loved being at the center of Goosetown.  Always quick with a smile or good-natured jab, Patsy connected with everyone at the store.  She was devastated when the market burned down in 1980, the same year the smelter closed.  Throughout the 1980’s Patsy worked as a clerk at Osco Drug.  She left when Osco became a non-union shop and started at the State Hospital at Warm Springs, where she worked until retirement in 2008.

Patsy was always involved in the community.  She was an officer in the Croatian Fraternal Union of Anaconda, and lifelong member of the Catholic Church of Anaconda.  Her faith was very important to her and she enjoyed Saturday evening mass with friends at Holy Family.  She loved cruising the drag and keeping tabs on the community with her police scanner.  Her favorite place was a kitchen table surrounded by family and friends. She loved to talk, laugh, do puzzles, play cards, drink coffee, and “give a hard time” to everyone around her. 

Patsy was diagnosed with MS in the early 1990’s. She often said, “I may have MS, but MS won’t have me.”  She fought hard and outlasted expectations. Her family is grateful for friends and neighbors who helped her stay in her beloved childhood home until July 2022.

Patsy lived a life of kindness, resilience, and optimism and will never be forgotten.  Patsy is survived by her brother Tom Lee of Anaconda, nephew Shawn Lee (Jessica) and family of Shoreline, WA, her “sister” Peggy Simkins (Ron) and family of Richland and Bellingham, WA, and Umatilla, OR, along with numerous Anaconda friends and Wilson-Anderson cousins throughout the country.  She is predeceased by her parents and brother Bill Lee of Anaconda.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Greater Northwest Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation or the funeral luncheon fund at Holy Family Catholic Church in Anaconda. 

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 217 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Anaconda, MT. A  one-hour visitation with take place prior to the memorial service, beginning at 9:30 a.m., at Holy Family Catholic Church.  A graveside service will follow the memorial service at Mount Olivet Cemetery, W. 5th Street, Anaconda, MT. Following the graveside service, a luncheon will be held in the Hunthausen Center of Holy Family Catholic Church.

Please visit the sidebar to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Patricia.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home has been privileged to care for Patricia and her family.