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Roll Call Tribute

B. Lee '76 June 27, 2016 10:38 AM updated: June 27, 2016 10:39 AM

Published in Austin American-Statesman from June 26 to June 27, 2016

Dr. Betty Jo LEE
LEE, Dr. Betty Jo
BJ Lee, 68, of Austin, Texas passed away on June 15, 2016. BJ was born in Dallas, Texas on May 27, 1948 to Elizabeth and Joseph Lee. BJ was an inquisitive person interested in many aspects of wildlife and the environmental. She embraced life, looked for adventure, and loved watching birds.

BJ is survived by her life partner, Ann McGinley, brothers, Dr. Larry Lee and partner Lane Hodgeson, and Dennis Lee and wife, Diana Lee. There are other extended family too numerous to name.

BJ grew up in Dallas where she excelled in school and was involved with church bell choir, Methodist Youth Fellowship and the church sponsored summer tours of Texas, the United States and Europe. She graduated from Brian Adams High School.

BJ graduated from University of Texas with a B.A. in Zoology in 1971. She worked for a time and then went to Texas A&M University for a M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science 1976. BJ worked for the Texas Parks and Wildlife in coastal fisheries and then returned to Texas A&M University for a Ph.D. in aquatic toxicology in 1984.

BJ taught at several colleges in the Dallas area before moving to Austin. She established the only woman-owned business in Texas that could conduct State and federally required toxicity tests for wastewater permits. She later worked for the State of Texas and after 10 years of service went on to work as an environmental consultant.

BJ spent her professional career focused on helping the environment but after retirement focused on helping people. First she found United Methodist Women and was impressed with how efficiently and effectively UMW provided women and children education, nutrition and medical care and taught women leadership and entrepreneurial skills. BJ served as a local unit president and as the Capital District UMW Social Action Coordinator.

BJ learned of the plight of immigrants in her community and was inspired to help establish the organization Austin Region Justice for Our Neighbors. ARJFON provides immigration legal services to low income immigrants. Later she was served on the board of directors.

BJ loved deeply her family, her church family at University United Methodist Church in Austin and the United Methodist Women, and her many friends from childhood through her adult life.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at University United Methodist Church, 2409 Guadalupe St., Austin, Tx. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to UMW or ARJFON.


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