Barbara Stinson Lee
April 19, 1951 - January 2, 2020
Barbara Stinson Lee, writer, editor, advocate, supporter, and friend to many during her 68-year lifetime died January 2, 2020 after a brief illness.
Born to Orville R. and Elizabeth “Pat” Stinson on April 19, 1951 in Boise, ID, Barbara and family settled in Phoenix, AZ where she attended St. Thomas the Apostle and graduated from Camelback High School.
Barbara was an active member of the Phoenix Little Theatre where she met her lifetime love and husband of 45 years, Jack Lee. They married and moved to Logan, UT. While there she published her first short story “The Dream Glass” in The Herald Journal.
Barbara and Jack moved to Salt Lake City, and she embarked on a 27-year vocation as writer and editor of the Intermountain Catholic newspaper. Throughout her tenure she embraced opportunities to share everyday stories of people. She enjoyed highlighting the achievements of young people and traveled extensively to report on poverty, justice and peace. In 2006 she published “Pilgrimage, a journey through the Holy Land with the words of Archbishop George Niederauer.” In 2013 The Utah Press Association presented her with its highest individual recognition, the Master Editor Publisher Award.
Dogs, cats, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, legendary enchilada parties and the heaven that welcomed her round out Barbara’s great passions. She faced the final weeks of her life with courage and grace, consoling her loved ones with an enthusiastic “Just look where I am going!” Hours before her death she quietly said, “I am on my way.” Yes, our dear Barbara, you have been on your way since the day you arrived.
Barbara is reunited in death with her parents and her sister Patsy Moss. She is survived by her husband Jack, her brother Frank Stinson of Tempe, AZ, her sisters Elizabeth Stinson of Vancouver, WA; Joanie Myszkowski (Joe) of Stoughton, WI, Kelly Stinson Mullens (Jeff) of Boise, ID; and beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends throughout the world.
A vigil will be held at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, January 7 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. Her funeral mass will be celebrated at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. Interment to follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Starks Funeral Parlor.
Interested parties are invited to memorialize Barbara by donating a favorite book to Our Lady of Lourdes School library and/or making a donation to the Madeleine Good Samaritan Project.
In Loving Memory
Jack receive our condolences to you and your family. May God have give peace to Barbara in the last moment of her life. You are in our prayes. God bless your family.
To Jack and family, please accept my condolences at this very difficult time. Although you never knew me, I am a Past President of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. Barbara was so very good to us and always kept us in the limelight in the Intermountain Catholic. She was always there writing the greatest stories for us. especially when it was time for our conventions. We will never forget her! May God's Peace be with you and your family. Jeanne Audiss DCCW Past President
Very sorry to hear about Barb's illness, and then of her rapid death. I have fond memories of you both from long ago. Please accept my sincere sympathy.
To the family of Barbara, please accept the sincere condolences and prayers on the death of dear Barbara. The Sisters of St. Benedict remember her fondly- she was so good to us and always took care of keeping our activities in the diocesan paper. We had many personal encounters with her and she was always ready to help out. I related to her personally on many occasions, as did other sisters of my community. She was the best. May the family know of my/our prayers for her, knowing she is at peace with her God. Sister Luke and the Sisters of St. Benedict, formerly of St. Benedict's Monastery in Ogden, UT.
The Sisters of St. Benedict extend sincere prayers and condolences to the family of Barbara Lee. We remember her fondly as she was such a big help to us when we were in Ogden with our hospital there. She was always available to take care of our "news" needs in the diocesan paper- I had many occasions to interact with her personally and it was always a joy. May the family know of our prayers for her at this time. May she rest in God's peace.
What fun it was, dear Barbara, when our offices at the Pastoral Center were across the hall from each other and we worked for Bishops Niederauer and Wester! I'll never forget those good times and the good things we were doing, I think, for God and the diocese. May a great host of angels bear you up to the bosom of Abraham. Pray for us.
Barbara was a special person in many ways. On a personal level, she and Jack were very supportive to us as new Catholics. We will always be grateful to them.
Jack, so sorry to hear of Barbara's passing. Fond recollections of discussing, as both a Cathedral parishioner and journalist for the Utah National Guard, story ideas and content, critical news events, and editorial professionalism; in a word, her noble endeavor to bring essential stories to light in far-flung places. Barbara was a pleasure to know, someone to be always cherished, and a major gift to Utah's Catholic Community as a whole. With much love to the family. - 30 -
My heart broke a little in hearing of Barbara's death. I remember her fondly from our membership in the Catholic Press Association. She was so engaged in the work of the Catholic Press and the church and she was a great mentor to so many of us. Barbara and I were also "roomies" on a trip to Haiti. During that trip she shared not only her heart in reacting to all the poverty we witnessed but also her talent as a writer and editor. She was a great gift to this life. May she enjoy peace with God in the next.
Oh, Jack...I was so sorry to learn today of Barbara's passing. The two of you have been such a joyful part of my time with the Utah Shakespeare Festival and I always loved seeing you as part of my summers there. Barbara had such a lovely gift, not just for writing, but for edifying the lives of others. Thoughts and prayers are with you. Fondest regards, Donna Law
Barbara was my very best friend when we were kids in the 50's and early 60's. She lived 3 doors down the alley and we spent hours writing, singing and even publishing our own "Neighborhood Newspaper". And even though I never let her star in any of our homemade plays, I always knew what a kind, talented and truly good person she was! She will be missed. "Hennesey!"
In Loving Memory
