Rochelle Lee Obituary

I loved and still love Mrs. Lee and she was like a mother to me when my mother died in 1972. I remember in 1996 when my family was visiting "grandma" Lee and she said, "Ben you're a grownup, you can call me Rochelle" and I said "no I can't". That's just how I felt about her and the respect I had and still have for her.

I love her and miss you Dearly.
Thanks sweet-tie (sweetie)

Mrs. Lee! Mrs. Lee! Those words frequently came out of my mouth when I was a student at Arnold Upper Grade Center from 1970 to 1972. The school’s library was in desperate need for books. Somehow Mrs. Lee made a dream come true for so many children. She found a publisher who donated thousands of books to the school, but there was one catch. None of the books had covers! This created an opportunity for the students to get involved in designing book covers. It kept so many children occupied for a very long time. Everyone was welcome. The library became a safe haven for many students. Even on weekends, a group of us kids would ride our bikes up to her house and spend the day with her. She was an amazing individual. This is one fond memory that I have of Mrs. Lee. I adored her. She gave me the comfort and direction that I needed in a time when it was rough to go to school. I am offering my deepest sympathy to her family. She will always be in my prayers.

I too was a lucky RLF recipient. My students loved those books. The loved being able to take books home. I had but to pick up a book and walk to the front of the class and all would be quiet. My students looked forward to to the end of the day when they would choose a book a take home. I did not live in Chicago, but choose to teach in Chicago.

It's difficult to describe the impact that Rochelle Lee has had on the lives of the children of Chicago. She provided books for so many classrooms and literacy workshops for so many CPS teachers. As a RLF recipient, I learned the value of reading aloud to children and giving them the opportunity to take home books from the classroom. Since meeting Rochelle in 1991, I have always admired her energy, her dedication to children, and knowledge and understanding of the best ways to encourage children to read. Through her work, she will influence the lives of children for many years.

Rochelle Lee had a profound impact on my school and on my teaching career. While, as a reading specialist, I was not eligible to apply for a grant, I watched our school blossom, as teacher after teacher received RLF grants. Our whole school changed and improved as we filled our shelves with wonderful children's literature and our minds with the teachings of Rochelle and others at RLF. She worked magic on our school. A few years before I saw that transformation, I met Rochelle very briefly. I was planning to return to teaching after 10 years at home raising children. In a few short minutes Rochelle made me realize that my real calling was to work in CPS, not the wealthier suburban schools where I was planning to apply. Her words changed the course of my career, which has found me happily teaching in Chicago for 16 years and counting. Thank you Rochelle for a life well lived.
You will be missed.

In an era in which public schools are criminally underfunded and overburdened, and on the brink of collapse because of upside down values--compare today's announced Goldman Sachs' bonus pool with public school faculty composition--Rochelle Lee's life was a reminder that it does not have to be that way. Her library at Oscar Mayer School was, when my daughters attended, a center of peace and learning. A place where a life-long love of learning and knowledge was imparted. The values she lived and shared--often lost in today's culture of wealth and celebrity--are lasting and will live on in those she taught and counseled.

It is many years since I have seen Howie & Rochelle. My husband, Paul, a London Taxi driver picked them up on the streets of London, they were desperately looking to change hotels. He took them to one that he knew would look after them and from that day we became good friends with them visiting us on many occasions and actually staying with us during one of their visits. We met with their daughter when she came to the UK and they looked after my daughters when they visited Chicago.

It is such a sad time and I am so far away.

Howie I wish you, Kathy and Amy and Rochelle's sisters "Long Life" and my condolences to your wonderful family and extended family.

Love Ruth (Marcus)

I knew Rochelle as the librarian at Oscar Mayer School who made books and reading available to young students. I brought my students from across the street at DePaul University so they could see and understand how schools could work for kids. I served on her first board when she started her reading program after she retired. Mrs. Lee was a warm and friendly woman who helped children and their parents. I am glad to see that her work proceeds.

Very often I thought of Rochelle when I visited the park across the street from your house - I pray you find some solace as you grieve.

As a kindergartener and first grader at Oscar Mayer in the early 1980s, I was a member of Rochelle Lee's "bookworm club." She was incredibly encouraging of my love of reading, to the point of essentially rescuing me from a dull kindergarten class and allowing me to spend hours of the school day in the library, reading up a storm, chatting with her and other students about that reading, and adding segments to my bookworm on the library wall. I am forever grateful for the attention she paid me, and wish I had taken the time to tell her what an impact she had on my life.

Our deepest sympathy to Uncle Howie, Kathy, Amy, and families. I was privileged to spend time in your homes throughout my life and have so many happy, loving memories. Aunt Kelly (our nickname for Rochelle Lee) will be missed--especially her infectious laugh.

Ms. Lee (as I always called her) was my school librarian at Oscar Mayer grade school from kindergarten through 8th grade. She had a profound impact on me (and countless other students) instilling in me a lifelong love of learning and reading for which I will always be deeply grateful. She took such a lively interest in all the children who entered her library and created a revolutionary space for students to truly relax into reading. Just the other day I was describing to someone the "polliwogs" which she made--foam cushions covered in bright colors--and placed under the windows of the library so we kids could lie down in the sunshine and read. I know the impact that she has had on the entire Chicago educational community through the Rochelle Lee Fund has been huge, and I always considered it a special privilege to be one of the students who "knew her when." I offer my deepest condolences to her community of family and friends: I hope you can take some comfort from knowing that the positive influence she had on so many young minds is still alive and will continue to thrive.

I never knew Rochelle Lee, the person, but through her fund I was given opportunities of fruitful collaboration with my colleagues and also provided classroom sets of novels that inspired my students. I will be forever grateful to her impact on Chicago education and my own students.

Rochelle Lee believed in me when I was a beginning teacher. She helped orchestrate instruction in my classroom by linking me to seasoned professionals and also promoting the Rochelle Lee Fund. I have taught reading for 17 years with strategies and resources that were in many ways directly from the efforts of her life. Since I have taught over 100 children every year, that would account for an impact in over 1700 students in the Chicago Public School system. She will indeed be missed, but I hope that the impact that she has made will last in her absence. Thank you Rochelle, for everything that you accomplished in your life time and its long lasting impact on the city of Chicago and its teachers. Emily Callan-Rowley @ Albert R. Sabin Magnet School, Chicago, IL.

Rochelle Lee believed in me when I was a beginning teacher. She helped by linking me to seasoned professionals and invaluable resources through her diligence and passion for the Rochelle Lee Fund and public education. Since I have taught over 100 students every year for 17 years, that would account for a direct impact on over 1700 of the students in the Chicago area. Although she will be greatly missed, her hard work and perseverance will continue to be evident in the life-long love of reading, literacy, and learning that she inspired with all those who continue to teach and learn. Thank you Rochelle, you will live on in the classroom. Emily Callan-Rowley @ Albert R. Sabin Magnet School, Chicago, IL.

Dear Lee and Gwilliam families, my deepest sympathies during your time of loss. May the memory of Mrs. Rochelle Lee live forever in the outstanding work she did as an educator and especially in the legacy she leaves her family.

I am deeply saddened to hear of Rochelle's passing. I was not only a recipient of the RLF award for several years, but considered her my personal mentor. I was privileged to know Rochelle in her dynamic years. The world of education has lost a great inspiration.

Dear Family:
Our deepest sympathy on the loss of your beloved Rochelle Lee. She was an inspiration and energizer to all those around her. As a Rochelle Lee fund recipient, I benefited from her spirit and enthusiasm during my teaching career.
Truly,
Nina Bell(and Jack)

Rochelle Lee's vision for children has created a community of readers in Chicago - both students and teachers. What a joyful legacy!!

May Rochelle's memory be a blessing to all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Marcy and Jim Hotz
(daughter and son-in-law of Marcy Rudoy)
Dousman, Wisconsin

Rochelle was instrumental in my journey as a teacher. She inspired, challenged, and nurtured me throughout my years of involvement with the Fund. Rochelle's spirit will live on with every page that is turned in the classroom libraries she and the Rochelle Lee Fund has provided for countless Chicago Public School children. Her dedication to children all over to impart literacy and the love of reading will never be forgotten. We love you and will miss you, Rochelle.

Rochelle Lee was a superb storyteller, educator, and mentor to so many teachers. Book discussions with Rochelle in the Rochelle Lee Fund library are among the most energizing and enlightening moments of my life. I was so lucky to begin my career at Burley Elementary, where she deeply inspired the entire administration and staff. Her love of reading will continue to grow and extend to generations of teachers and their students. Thank you so much, Rochelle, for a life dedicated to children.

My prayers go out to Rochell Lee's family. She was a dynamic individual. I was fortunate enough to receive a grant for books as well as outstanding workshops to help my students. I was so inspired by her generosity towards children reading. She will be sorely missed...........Cassandra Love-Vaugh (Chicago, IL)

Ms. Lee's simple message that children need to actually read in order to become better readers has profoundly shaped my teaching practice. Her views have had an incalculable effect upon students. May her efforts continue. May her spirit soar.

Rochelle Lee's visionary work and dedication to the children of Chicago will live on in all of the teachers that she has inspired and who inspire others. My classroom, my teaching, my students have all been positively impacted by her life's work. Rochelle Lee will remain in our hearts forever.

Rochelle inspired me to be a better reader, book club leader and teacher. Every time I see the inspiration in my students' eyes, I thank Rochelle and her uncanny determination to make teachers and students reflect, discuss and grow. Thanks Rochelle. Rest in peace.

Rochelle Lee's generosity reached many students and changed the way students view reading. Additionally, the teachers of Nicholson grew professionally and greatly appreciate her charitable spirit. We extend our deepest sympathy, and will pray for strength for friends and families.

My heartfelt sympathies to Rochelle's family and friends. I will always be grateful for the Rochelle Lee Fund's impact on my teaching. Rochelle continues to be an inspiration to many educators and activists.

Rochelle helped open my eyes to the world when she shared her experiences of learning from the many exchange students she had nurtured through the years. She was a warm and witty person of boundless curiosity and caring who will be deeply missed.

Rochelle was a great support to Chicago Public schools teachers and their students. I extend my deepest sympathy to her family and friends.
Damaris Miles