In Memorium

In Memory: Christina Lee

Christina Lee, wife of former Chair Dr. Joseph K.T. Lee and a beloved member of the Department of Radiology family, passed away on February 5, 2009, after a valiant 5-year battle against Multiple Myeloma. A memorial service attended by several hundred was held on February 8th at University Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, NC. Remembered as an attentive, caring soul, Christina made meaningful connections with those who made her brief acquaintance as well as long-time Department faculty members:

Joseph K.T. Lee (Loving Husband): “Christina not only was my wife, but also my best friend, helper, and above all a spiritual partner in Christ. … [She] had a vivacious outgoing personality and was an excellent gourmet cook. She was elegant but frugal, principled but loving. She also had many spiritual gifts, especially the gift of hospitality, encouraging and evangelization.”

Matt Mauro (Chair): “Of all our UNC faculty, I knew Christina the longest … UNC was extremely fortunate when Joe accepted the chair position in 1991 and convinced Christina to relocate her family and leave her friends.  Christina was our gracious 'First Lady of the Department' for 15 years.  She was a calming influence to Joe’s hectic and demanding life as an academic chairman and allowed Joe to meet those challenges head on.  She was a gracious host at all of the departmental functions and a great ambassador of the Department, both locally and across the country. “

Paul Molina (Executive Vice Chair): My friendship with Christina Lee spans more than 20 years.  When I was a young thoracic radiology fellow and junior faculty member in St. Louis, Christina was in many ways like a second mom to me.  I will always cherish her gentle, calm demeanor, sage counsel and ever-widening smile.  Since my return to UNC in 1993, most of my private conversations with Christina have revolved around family, particularly the children.  I know that she and Joe are extremely proud of Alex, Betsy and Cathy of what terrific young adults they have become.  I see so much of Christina in each and every one of them.

Richard Semelka (Vice Chair, Clinical Research): “Rarely in life does one have the opportunity to meet someone who always seems to exude happiness, warmth, caring and joy. No matter what the circumstances are, when you see that person, you always feel somehow uplifted after time spent with them. Such a person was Christina Lee. I have known Christina for 17 years, ever since Joe had recruited me from the snow blizzards in Winnipeg, Canada. I have to say that in all these years, I have always delighted and relished in the opportunity to speak to Christina, in whatever circumstances we have met.”

Mauricio Castillo (Section Chief, Neuroradiology): “I considered Christina Lee a part of my 'North Carolina' family.  I first met her when I came to interview, nearly 20 years ago, for the position I now hold.  Her way of behaving immediately told me that if I decided to come to UNC I would be making the right choice.  Dr. Lee always treated her with the utmost love and respect.  It was easy to see the very important role that she played in his life and that indirectly she would play on the life of all of us, the early recruits.  My wife always refers to Christina as 'Madame Lee' in an attempt to connote the respect that we felt for her.”

In Christina’s memory, contributions may be made to the following: The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (www.multiplemyeloma.org); Raleigh Chinese Christian Church Building Fund (www.raleighccc.org); or The Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org).