Lee died in palliative care at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Ottawa on December 30, 2024, following the recurrence of a rare cancer. Her caregivers agreed she was a remarkably sweet and beautiful patient.
Lee was born on March 24, 1961 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Theresa and Douglas Beatty. She is survived by her devoted husband Jim Lahey, and by her sister Janet Cottrill, and her brother Wesley Beatty and his wife Cindy McEwen. She was very fond as well of her niece Cacey Cottrill, and her nephews, Chad, Kurt and Nigel Beatty, and Nathan Little.
Lee grew up in Oakville, Ontario. She studied at Guelph, Toronto, and Queen’s universities, where she completed a BA and a Masters in Public Administration. She moved to Ottawa in 1993, when she joined the federal public service. Her career included working at the Treasury Board Secretariat as a senior program analyst, and at the Canada Border Services Agency, most notably supporting the arming of border guards.
Lee was an intensely active athlete in her youth: a decorated middle-distance runner, and a pioneer in competitive women’s soccer. She was an avid skier in Banff and Whistler in her twenties. Water sports were a passion throughout her life.
Lee overcame multiple major illnesses. She recovered from Hodgkins Lymphoma in the early 1990s, and managed to regain her mobility after a bout of Neuromyelitis Optica in 2011.
Despite these setbacks, Lee was determined to live fully. She was curious and eager to learn, even taking up Japanese in her last years. Her love of art made her attire a model of fine taste, and the walls of her home became a personal gallery. She was a formidable knitter, producing many Fair Isle sweaters and toques. Friends and family appreciated her happy mixture of kindness and fearless views. She passed much too soon. Still, her memory will inspire many.
Cremation has taken place. A private commemoration will be held at Beechwood Cemetery, in Ottawa. Friends are invited to leave a message by clicking on the digital guestbook tab on the left of this page. Donations in Lee’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society should assist with research into cancers that affect women especially.
Digital Guestbook
David Lahey
Maha Mankal
Lee was so many things, it’s difficult to fit them into a box. Aside from being an outwardly obvious trend setter, avid reader and traveler with a fine taste in all things art and chocolate, Lee was an empathetic confidante, a solid shoulder to lean on. She was a visionary in her field. She was stubborn student of anything she put her mind to. She was my friend and mentor, and I will miss her dearly, comforted only by the great memories we’ve shared over the last 18 years. Farewell Lee.
Anna Jahn
My heartfelt condolences. I will remember Lee as a fashionista with impeccable tase, a curious traveler and her endless optimism.
David Henley
I am very sorry to hear of this sad news. I want to wish you, Jim, and your family, all the strength necessary during this difficult time.
Jeanne Flemming
I am sorry that Lee had to face so many challenges in her life. My sympathy to you Jim on your loss.
Doug McConnachie
Jim,
I am so sorry for your loss. Although I never met Lee, she sounds like a supremely kind and remarkable individual. I wanted you to know that I am thinking about you and your family. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to support you in this challenging time. Please take good care of yourself.
All the best,
Doug
Franca Mirella
I am so saddened by the loss of this amazing human. Lee was incredibly generous and had an open door policy when it came to asking for her help. Aside from work, I also spent many hours chatting with her about topics like her love of Italy to the injustices in the world to her gorgeous selection of shoes and scarves. It was her story telling that made her such an interesting and captivating person. I will miss her dearly. May you rest in peace Lee and may you also have an abundance of cannoli served to you wherever you're resting.
Vicky Johnston
My deepest sympathy to all Lee’s loved ones. She was an amazing woman - lovely, intelligent, kind and sweet. We will miss her greatly.
Gloria Lopez
Lee was a person with great qualities such as generosity, empathy, optimistic, kind, good sense of humor and I could continue on to mention many more, but to put in one word, she was a WONDERFUL person that I will always remember.
Gloria Lopez
Lee was such a beautiful person with great qualities. She was generous, showed empathy, optimistic, she was kind, had a good sense of humor and I could continue on to mention many more. But to put it in one word, she was a WONDERFUL person that I will always hold dear to my heart.
Our condolences, love Danielle and David Lahey