Gladys A.

ATHOL - Gladys (Morandi) Lee, 80 of 369 Cottage St. , Athol, died peacefully Sunday, January 17, 2010 at The Highlands, Fitchburg surrounded by her family after a brief, but courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Athol, on June 28, 1929, the daughter of the late Giacomo and the late Guiseppina (Pesci) Morandi. She was a lifelong resident of Athol and graduated from Athol High School with the class of 1947. Mrs. Lee married Ernest J. Lee on November 28, 1953. She was a member of Our Lady Immaculate Church. As a young woman, she also worked at W.T. Grant Company and Union Twist Drill in the cost department. She spent the next 20 years as a devoted Navy wife traveling around the country and raising a family. After Ernest retired from the Navy, they returned to Athol where Gladys and Ernest owned and operated several local businesses to include LeRoys Cafe, Pequoig Lounge, The Coat of Arms Restaurant, Athol Lobster House, and Athol Steak House. She then worked at Athol Research Corporation as a foreman for twelve years until her retirement in 1992. Gladys loved spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren and her cat "Kit Kit". She was an avid reader of mystery novels and enjoyed making puzzles. Gladys had a wonderful smile that could light up a room and was loved by all. She leaves her husband of 56 years, Ernest J. Lee; one daughter, Linda M. Rogowski and her husband Joseph of Barre; two sons, LCDR (retired) Ernest J. Lee, Jr. and his wife Linda of Danielson, CT, MAJ (retired) Edward J. Lee and his wife Linda of Athol; ten grandchildren, SSgt Robert Rogowski and his wife Lindsay of Barre, Emily Rogowski of Barre; Sgt Andrew Lee of Fort Knox, KY, PO2 Joseph, Jeffrey, and Erin Lee of Danielson, CT; James, Michael, Jonathan, and Lindsey Lee of Athol and two great-grand children Ryan Lee, and Abigail Rogowski. She was predeceased by her sister, Inez Petrousky who passed in 1999. Calling hours will be held this Saturday, January 23rd at the Murphy Funeral Home, 137 Main St., Athol from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Her ashes will be buried during a private ceremony at the Erving Center Cemetery in the spring. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.murphysfuneralhome.com Murphy Funeral Home, 137 Main St. is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });