Marilyn Kinney Lee

Marilyn Kinney Lee, age 88, of Mattapoisett, passed away Tuesday March 28, 2023 peacefully at home surrounded by her family. She was the beloved wife of 52 years of the late Daniel C. Lee, Jr., and the daughter of the late Police Chief Alden S. and Mrs. Doris L. (Perreault) Kinney.

            Born in New Bedford on June 4, 1934, Marilyn’s roots in Mattapoisett were strong and deep. She attended Center School and Fairhaven High School and graduated from Dean Academy in 1953, where, as a cheerleader, she cheered on Dean’s Basketball Team on the parquet of the old Boston Garden. Marilyn received her Associate’s Degree from Endicott College in 1955 and continued her studies at Rhode Island College and Bridgewater State University. As an early childhood educator, Marilyn started a Kindergarten on Cape Cod, taught at Sacred Hearts Academy and the Anthony School in Fairhaven, and Center School in Mattapoisett, where she retired as a Special Needs Teacher. She was passionate about providing area children, particularly those who needed a little extra help, the opportunity to learn and achieve.

            Marilyn’s interests were many and included sailing, history, genealogy, music, reading, and crewel work. In her youth and young adulthood, Marilyn and her sister sailed their Beetle Cat, Dixie Cup, to victory in many Mattapoisett Yacht Club races. In addition, she played the violin in the New Bedford Young People’s Orchestra and was a Girl Scout who achieved Mariner status. As such, she acted in Warner Bros. Pictures’ film Women of Tomorrow.

            Marilyn proudly traced her roots back 11 generations in the region and was a key member of the Mattapoisett Bicentennial Committee, celebrating America’s 200th anniversary in 1975-1976. She designed the logo for the town’s yearlong event, which became the centerpiece for commemorative plates, t-shirts, and sweatshirts, among other items. Marilyn also served as an appointed member of the town’s Recreation Committee and the Mattapoisett Historical Commission.

            No role was more important to Marilyn than that of wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was devoted to her family and was a kind, loving, and guiding presence to her late husband and two children. Her three grandchildren enjoyed summers at “Camp Marilyn,” and her two great-grandchildren loved playing “stuffies” and trucks with her.

            Marilyn is survived by her son, Daniel C. Lee, III and his wife Tracey (Robert) Lee; her daughter Darcy H. Lee; her grandchildren Casey (Lee) Rogers and her husband Adam Rogers, Owen Kinney Lee, and Madeleine Olivier Lee; her great-granddaughter Alice Carole Rogers and great-grandson Andrew Emerson Rogers; her sister Jocelyn Kinney Baylow, nieces, nephews, and cousins, and many, many friends, including Table 48 and the Fairhaven High School Class of 1953 Lunch Group.

            The Lee family invites you to Marilyn’s visitation, Funeral Mass, and burial on Wednesday, April 5th. Visitation will be held from 9 am – 10:30 am at Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Mattapoisett, with the Funeral Mass at 11 am at St. Anthony’s Church, 26 Hammond Street, Mattapoisett. Burial will follow at Cushing Cemetery, Mattapoisett. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.