Anne Lee

Anne Lee, age 80, of Rockaway Township, NJ, and a longtime resident of Chinatown in New York City, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

Anne was the fourth of Dick and Bin (Lee) Lee’s six children. Born in Brooklyn, NY, she spent nearly her entire life in Manhattan’s Chinatown before relocating across the Hudson River to Rockaway Township, NJ in 2023.

A graduate of Washington Irving High School, Anne went on to pursue higher education at Hunter College on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where she earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in education. She enjoyed a long and fulfilling career as a beloved elementary school teacher at PS 137 located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. A dedicated education professional, Anne was an active member of APALA (Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance where she had been recognized as a Lifetime Warrior and UFT (United Federation of Teachers), where she continually sought ways to contribute and improve her skills as an educator while also fostering meaningful and lasting friendships with her colleagues.

Anne made it her life’s ambition to walk faithfully in the footsteps of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For many years, she was a devoted member of True Light Lutheran Church in NYC Chinatown, where she served on the Board of Directors, sang proudly in the choir and generously gave her time as a Sunday School teacher and Cub Scout den mother. After moving to Rockaway Township during Covid, Anne worshiped with family at First Lutheran Church in Clifton, where she also continued her service by teaching Sunday School when needed.

In her spare time, Anne enjoyed knitting, calligraphy, playing Mahjong, reading romance novels, watching TV, attending broadway shows for “girls night out” and faithfully cheering on her beloved New York Yankees. She also loved to travel with friends and family, with highlights including trips to Hawaii, the Bahamas, England, Asia and Western Europe, numerous cruises, and a special journey to the Holy Land in Israel.

Throughout her life, Anne believed deeply in the importance of strong family ties. She cherished time spent with her brothers and sisters, as well as her nieces and nephews. She often invited her nieces and nephews to join her on Sunday school outings to various museums and landmarks, at Yankees games to cheer them on to victory and visiting them at college Anne was a truly generous soul who gave back to God with a thankful heart and extended her time and resources to anyone in need. She had multiple god children, some of whom were grown adults at the time! To Anne, everyone was family, and her family and friends will fondly remember her joyful spirit, warm generosity, enthusiastic sense of humor, and boundless kindness.

Anne was predeceased by her parents, Dick, and Bin Lee, as well as three brothers and one sister: Richard, William, Lydia, and Robert. She is survived by her sister Jeanne and husband Wai; her brother William’s wife, Gloria; her sister Lydia’s husband, Frank; and many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

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In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Anne’s memory are invited to donation to either:

First Lutheran Church

1337 Van Houten Avenue

Clifton, NJ 07013

or

True Light Lutheran Church

195 Worth Street

New York, NY 10013

Please indicate that your gift is in memory of Anne Lee.