Rebecca Sue ‘Becky’ Parrish Lee

GREENWOOD

Rebecca Sue “Becky” Parrish Lee, 66, of Greenwood, passed away Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, at home after a hard fought battle with appendicidal cancer.

Becky was born in Columbus to Willard Lee Parrish and Rose Catherine Bannister Parrish on July 29, 1949. She was raised on the southside of Indianapolis along with her sister, Janet Darlene Parrish Davis, and brother, Wayne Lee Parrish.

She graduated from Southport High School in 1967. Becky married the love of her life, Richard Joseph Lee, on Jan. 11, 1969.

Together, Becky and Dick built a home where all were welcomed. She and Dick had three children, Brian Christopher Lee, Jennifer Anne Lee-Burdine and Daniel Joseph Lee. Becky loved each of her children fiercely and would proudly tell others about her older son’s hyper-logicalness, her daughter’s compassion and her younger son’s big heart. She had great joy in knowing her daughter was turning out to be just like her and that her sons were men anyone would find admirable.

Becky and Dick were happy when their family grew to include their daughters by marriage, Janie Marie Lee and Tayla T.C. Lee. Becky provided them with support and affection, making no distinction between daughter and daughter-in-law. Finally, Becky had a special love that only a grandmother can have for her grandchildren, Trevor Storm Burdine, Alexis Isabella Lee and Jackson Alexander Lee. She loved watching them grow and nurtured their curiosity and excitement about the world.

Through her words and actions, she made sure to tell her grandchildren she would provide what they needed, whether that be a soft hug, a firm no or a listening ear.

Becky closely followed the motto “Live, laugh, love” in her life. She cherished having fun, whether this was achieved playing cards with her girlfriends, riding in a “vertible” car with Dick or traveling the world to experience new things.

She loved the beach, gardening, hummingbirds and butterflies, and eating anything “pumpkin spice.” Birthdays and Christmas were not single days in Becky’s life but rather monthlong celebrations of joy and being with those she loved.

Becky was crafty and could create things of great beauty. She enjoyed cooking things from old church recipe books and having big family meals.

Becky liked things to be neat and was always planning activities for her family and friends.

She made lists for all occasions, as well as lists of her lists. She could shop till she dropped and would decorate anything that stood still (and some things that did not). Becky was grateful for her blessings and thought it was important to give back to others.

She was a member of Psi Iota Xi and regularly volunteered at Johnson Memorial Hospital. Becky never met a person she could not talk to and developed close relationships with friends she treasured at each stage of her life.

Of all that she was, Becky was best known for being able to laugh (even when things were toughest) and her dedication to her friends and family.

Services for Becky will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday Our Lady of the Greenwood Catholic Church, 335 S. Meridian St. in Greenwood. Calling will be from 9 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church.

One of Becky’s wishes was that memorials to her life be made in the form of contributions to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Other memorials, including flowers, should be sent to the parish, 335 S. Meridian St., Greenwood, IN 46143.