Barbara Duane Lee

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of the extraordinary Barbara Duane Lee on June 23, 2025, at the age of 98. She lived, until her final days, a rich and meaningful life filled with love, joy and purpose. Indeed, one of her final statements was: “aren’t we so lucky!”

Barbara often said that each one of us came into this world carrying our own suitcase filled with unique personalities, likes and dislikes, temperament, and, in many ways, our view of the world. Born on April 30, 1927, in Los Angeles, her suitcase contained the building blocks that shaped her life, nurtured by her beloved grandmother Mertyl, whose examples of empathy, kindness and humility formed Barbara’s spirit for the rest of her life.

When Barbara was in her 20’s she became a stewardess for United Air Lines, a very prestigious and glamourous job for the time and she loved every minute of it. Based in Denver she met her future husband, Dr. Herbert Lee. They married in 1953 and settled in Terra Linda, then Lucas Valley, to raise their family.

One large section of her suitcase was dedicated to family. She loved and cherished her family. Nothing brought a tear to her eye faster than seeing the holiday table, family celebration, or backyard swimming pool filled with those she loved. Barbara, “Bobbie” to her family, often said her greatest gift was her (7) children, (13) grandchildren and (11) great-grandchildren. She wanted everything for her kids that she did not have as a child. Birthdays and Christmas were extra special and memorable. She encouraged us to do whatever sport or extracurricular activity we wanted to (as long as the dishes were done and our room cleaned) and never missed a game, swim meet, or horse show.

Her suitcase also contained a section for ambition and service to the community. As if she were not busy enough raising her large family, she started and owned San Anselmo Antiques, Le Tournesol in Larkspur and was an interior designer for almost 20 years with her business partner, Sarah Davis. She was a docent at the DeYoung Museum, volunteered as an ESL teacher, served on the Boards of Marin Charitable and San Rafael Canal Ministry, took classes with Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), earned a certificate in Executive Directorship from USF and became a member and served on the Vestry of St John’s church in Ross.

If she was asked for her secret to good health and longevity (which she frequently was), she had two answers. The more polite one, that she never stopped learning or being engaged and curious or the one she favored, she was allergic to exercise her whole life.

Barbara built lifelong relationships from all aspects of her life. From her stewardess days, the medical and Lucas Valley communities, St John’s church, and those that went from clients to friends. There was rarely a time that we could go out somewhere in Marin where she was not approached by someone, she knew saying hello (and more often than not, telling her how much they admired her), and we always felt great pride when she introduced us as her children.

Her dedication to helping others took many forms, but perhaps the greatest expression of this in her life was founding Bloom Marin (formerly Image for Success) in 1999 at the age of 72. Starting with donated clothes in the trunk of her Volvo sedan, the mission statement of “Self-esteem begins with Self-Image”, and encouragement from key members of the Marin nonprofit world, Barbara and her dedicated volunteers (Barbara said “Image” could not exist without the incredible volunteers) built an organization that provided two weeks of clothing to individuals and families facing major life challenges. To date, Bloom has dressed over 25,000 women, men and children! She was very proud of, and at the same time humbled, by that.

For her work with Bloom, Barbara was honored with a 2007 commendation for her exemplary service to the County or Marin, was a member of the class of the 2011 Marin Women’s Hall of Fame (yourywca.org/honorees/barbara-lee/), and was awarded the prestigious Jefferson Award (www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/bloom-gently-used-clothing-barbara-lee-jefferson-awards-welfare-to-work/ ) in 2022.

Barbara had a fabulous sense of humor and had a smile for anyone she met. She loved traveling, shopping, the beauty of Marin, See’s candy and was a little obsessed with the San Francisco Giants (mostly Kruik and Kuip). She was creative and artistic and always beautifully and stylishly dressed.

What started as building blocks in Barbara’s suitcase became a beautifully successful life. We are so lucky to have called her “Mom”, and we will miss her always. It will forever be a ‘beautiful day’ when we think of her.

Barbara is survived by her children, Mel Larkin, Patrick Lee (Renee), Alison Dimick (Dean), Andrea Garry (Brian) and Katie Lee, sister-in-law Betsy Hand, daughters-in-law Terry Lee and Cindi Lee, Grandchildren – Casey and Diana Larkin, Jaxson Lee, Kalen Lee, Joshua Lee (Linn), Jeff Lee, Sean Lee, Jody George (Cody), Makayla Lee, Garrett Lee, Grant Garry (Presley), Kennon Garry and Jillian Garry, 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved sons, Jamie Lee and David Lee, sister Kay Hand and brother Brian Hand, son-in-law Sandy Larkin, nephew Craig Holding and former husband, Dr. Herbert Lee.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the staff at Atria Tamalpais Creek and Hospice of Petaluma for the devoted and gentle care they gave her in the final years of her life. Their kindness, compassion, and unwavering support brought great comfort, not only to Barbara, but to all of us who loved her. She spent her days surrounded by warmth and happiness and peace.

In memory of Barbara, or if you would like to honor her, please do something kind for someone. She and her family would also be touched by a donation to Bloom Marin (Bloommarin.org – please make sure to indicate it is designated solely for Bloom) , Planned Parenthood (www.plannedparenthood.org/ ) or the charity of your choice, if you feel so inclined.

Please join Barbara’s family for a Celebration of Life well lived on Friday, October 24, 2025, 12PM, at Marin Country Club, Novato. Please leave a comment below or email [email protected] if you have any questions.

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