During the war in the early 1950s, the American Embassy in Korea hired an intelligent, young woman to serve as an interpreter. Bernadette Lee was extremely proud that the Embassy considered her English sufficient to become employed in this field.
More than 70 years later, surrounded by her son and grandson, Bernadette is still proud of her proficiency in the English language.
At the end of the Korean War, Bernadette boarded a plane for Texas and Baylor University where she received her undergraduate degree in English Literature. Thriving in college life, she moved to New York to attend Columbia University where she added a master’s degree in social work to her resumé. It was in New York that she met her future husband.
The Lee’s had two children; Albert, an accomplished Southern California attorney, and Beatrice, who was born with an intellectual disability. After various complications with both her health and with the state facility, as an adult Beatrice was moved to a nearby residential care home in Los Angeles where she began receiving services from Easterseals. Beatrice’s nephew, Ryan, recalls visiting with his aunt on Sundays and learning about all the activities that Easterseals provided each week. “Beatrice was intentional,” said Ryan. “She was always a willing participant and wanted to be present in each moment.”
As a mom, Bernadette was a passionate supporter of the organizations that assisted her daughter. She became a donor and used her knowledge and skills in social work to help others succeed.
Although Beatrice Lee passed away in 2018, her vibrant love of life continues with her family. Thankful for the care she received, the Lee family gifted shares of stock using Easterseals Southern California’s DonateStock website portal. The family requested the donation be designated to Adult Day Services to assist individuals like Beatrice.
“We are grateful to the Lee family for this gift of stock”, said Julie Reynoso, Development Director. “It is one of the easiest, tax-smart ways to donate. Our partners at DonateStock.com call it ‘putting stock into something that matters’ and this certainly rings true for us at Easterseals Southern California.”
From a young girl in Korea to a scholar, a mother, a grandmother, and philanthropist, Bernadette Lee’s life has been a legacy of love. She is proud of her accomplishments, but especially of her children and grandchildren that will carry on her legacy.
To learn more about the benefits of donating stock, go to https://donatestock.com/easter-seals-southern-california-inc
In Loving Memory of Beatrice Lee. 1965-2018
