Obituary of Andrea Lee

At home with her family near, Andrea (Ukland or Ukie) Lee nee Kong, 83, passed away quietly on Monday March 19, her mother's birthday. Andrea was born in Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad in the West Indies, on November 30, 1934. Her parents were William Henry and Venelia Veronica Kong (nee Danglade). After leaving school and before marriage, Andrea enjoyed working at cosmetic counters in two major department stores in her native Port of Spain. She also worked in State College at McLanahan's Downtown, and at the Benner Pike Walmart as a Greeter. On May 1st 1958 she married her husband of nearly 60 years, John 88, in Kingston, Jamaica. In addition to Trinidad, Jamaica and Pennsylvania, she also lived in the Bahamas, Florida, Colorado, Barbados and Saudi Arabia, due to John's employment and higher educational pursuits. She came to State College in August 1974. An avid gardener with a special fondness for orchids and roses, Andrea also enjoyed entertaining and cooking. For many years, she was actively involved with food preparation for the Caribbean Experience, an annual cultural event sponsored by the Caribbean Students' Association of Penn State of which she was a co-founder. Andrea is survived by her husband John (State College), her three children Joanne (Mesa, AZ), Elizabeth (State College, PA), and John II (Chandler, AZ), her brother Benard (Trinidad), numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-grand nieces and nephews, most of whom remain in her beloved Trinidad. In addition the many students, mostly from the Caribbean who fondly considered her their "Mother" during their time here at Penn State. She is preceded in death by her son Richard Anthony, her parents, three brothers and a sister. A funeral service will be held at Our Lady of Victory Church, Westerly Parkway, State College, at 11:30 A.M. on Wednesday March 28, with the Reverend Fr. Antony officiating. Following the service there will be a reception in the Gardiner Social Hall of the church. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kocfuneralhome.com.