Susie (문지은) Lee

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“...all stories, if continued far enough, end in death” - Ernest Hemingway

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Surrounded by her loving family, Susie (문지은) Lee, 69, passed away in peace and comfort at her home in Overland Park on the morning of March 12th, 2020.

She was born in Jeju City, South Korea and grew up on Jeju Island. She was working as an administrative clerk in a government office when she met the love of her life, Timothy (이승우) Lee. They married in the fall of 1976 and, shortly after, moved to the United States. Married for 44 years, they traversed Europe while living in Italy, lived throughout the greater Kansas City area, and raised two wonderful children, Thomas and Jenny. She was a retired clerk of more than 25 years in the U.S. Postal Service. A faithful Christian, she was deeply involved in Kansas Korean Full Gospel Church (캔사스 순복음 교회) and later was a devoted member of Kansas Mission Church (캔사스 선교교회).

In her church home of KMC (캔사스 선교교회), she served as wife of an elder (장로님) from the spring of 2010 and also took on the role of exhorter (권사님) in the spring of 2014. In addition, she joyously served KMC (캔사스 선교교회) by overseeing Koinonia, the church coffee shop. Her iced coffee recipe was a guarded secret which delighted its fans. She especially enjoyed learning how to play the ukulele--it became a music ministry that truly touched her heart.

On one hand, she loved poetry and had an artistic eye. On the other, she was thoroughly practical and determined. She could even dominate a game of ping pong with demureness and a flash of finesse. She was a complex, beautiful person with a vivacious spirit. Her contagious laughter will never be forgotten.

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“O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done” - Walt Whitman

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Susie (문지은) Lee is preceded in death by her parents and older brother. She is survived by her husband and their two children. We will forever miss her presence, but we find comfort that her pain and suffering are over. After eight months of battling advanced pancreatic cancer and various aggressive infections, she is finally at peace. Her strength, tenacity, and will power have forever changed us. Her enduring heart and joy for life was inspiring. While we grieve that she is no longer with us, we find joy in the anticipation of being reunited with her in Heaven.

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“...And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” - Psalms 23:6

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The family of Susie (문지은) Lee would like to extend our sincerest gratitude for the love and support of our church and extended family throughout the United States and in Korea. We appreciate your love in all the ways it manifests at this time and for all time.

The Memorial Service celebrating her life has been postponed due to the ever increasing spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19 ) in our community.

At 7pm on the evening of Friday, March 20th, there will be an intimate, private Funeral Service at Kansas Mission Church (캔사스 선교교회). There will also be an intimate, private Graveside Farewell at Johnson County Funeral Chapel & Memorial Gardens at 10:30am the following morning, Saturday, March 21st. Her Memorial Service will be planned to take place once the greater Kansas City area is no longer threatened by the novel coronavirus.

We understand the sadness and frustration with not being able to attend her services. We will miss your physical presence during this time of remembering and honoring Susie (문지은) Lee, but have provided a way for you to join us from afar:

****There will be a live stream of all services on the Kansas Mission Church YouTube channel. Please join us here if so inclined: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCHMCwPQj8RVuzj9uUyAv5dA .

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“i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)” - e.e. cummings

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Our hearts break that we cannot be together during this time. Yet, we need to uphold the various travel restrictions, quarantines, and social distancing that may slow the growth of this devastating virus in our communities. A strict ban has been placed in the greater Kansas City area restricting gatherings of more than 10 people--with no further exemptions.

We look forward to the joy of celebrating the life of Susie (문지은) Lee at a later date when a Memorial Service is possible for us to come together safely.

Until then, we urge everyone to use safe hygienic practices and protective measures (e.g., STAY HOME--especially if you exhibit any signs of respiratory illness or have been around anyone exhibiting signs of respiratory illness, wash your hands with soap for a minimum of 20 seconds, cover your mouth if you cough/sneeze, cough/sneeze into your elbow, avoid touching your face or others unnecessarily, etc).

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“If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain” - Emily Dickinson