Willeine L. Walsh

Willeine L. Walsh (nee Lee; Ling Su Lee), age 83, died peacefully on Thursday, April 21, 2022 in her hometown of Jefferson at Lakeside Retirement Home.  She is now in Heaven knowing Jesus as her personal Savior.  Her family is grateful for the countless lives Willeine (Mimi, Mom, Ling, Dear) has touched over the years.  Family, friends, church attendees, and her community have been blessed by her presence, her encouragement, and her deeds.

Growing up, Willeine’s parents enjoyed dancing, cooking and entertaining.  Her mother and father (conversant in English and Chinese) hosted many gatherings where Willeine and her older sister helped serve and greet attendees.  Willeine would especially note that her parents hosted the Chinese Naval Officers as the Chinese Navy trained with the US Navy in 1944 at the Philadelphia Naval Base.  As a young girl, this is where Willeine started her love for helping others, preparing meals, and general hospitality.

Willeine grew up in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas.  She attended Upper Darby High School where she played basketball and was Head Majorette. She graduated in 1956 and was married a year later to the love of her life, Norman (Norm) Walsh.  They were married for 64 years and have four children.

In 1961, they moved their family to Milton, New Jersey (Jefferson Township, Oak Ridge) due to Norman’s work transfer in helping to open up the newly built State Farm Northeastern Regional Office in Wayne, NJ.  A few years later, she worked as a part-time waitress at Jorgenson’s Inn on Route 23 in West Milford and at The Original Rudy’s on Berkshire Valley Road in Jefferson.  As her children grew up and became involved in boy scouts, girl scouts and sports, Willeine stepped up and became a Boy Scout Den Mother for Troop 51 and a Girl Scout Mother, and drove her kids to and from sporting events.

In 1973, Willeine joined the Milton First Aid Squad.  She served for 25 years and became a Life Member. In the 1970’s and 1980’s she helped orchestrate many Christian youth camping events at Stokes State Forest, Johnsonburg, Mt. Paul in Jefferson, and the St. Paul Abbey in Newton.  She was an active member at Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church from 1961-1977, Green Pond Bible Chapel from 1977-1993, and Lafayette Federated from 1993-2022.  She served as a youth group leader, couples club leader, and a care group leader.  She also helped organize many church weddings and prepared food for them.  And, for many years, she volunteered at church turning fresh cut flowers into arrangements each Sunday to supply the pulpit weekly.

Willeine and Norm were able to enjoy 20+ years of retirement together and with their large extended family. She enjoyed playing thousands of games of Backgammon and Mah Jong (especially when she beat Norm).   Since the 1990’s they made dozens more close friends while vacationing in Puerto Rico, Florida and most dear to their hearts, Aruba.

Willeine will always be remembered by her true love, Norm of Milton, NJ; and with love from her four children; John Walsh and his wife Karin of Sparta, Ken Walsh and his wife Cathy of Rockaway, Janet Tanis and her husband Tom of Oak Ridge, and Tom Walsh and his wife Laura of Mechanicsville, VA; her sixteen grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren; her Aunt Alice "Ying" Chang of Hawaii. and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

She was predeceased by her father William F. Lee in 1997, by her mother Madeleine Chung Lee in 2021, by her brother William, Jr. who died as an infant, and by her sister Doris "Ping" Ching of Hawaii, who died in 2004.

Willeine will be greatly missed by all.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the Milton First Aid Squad would be greatly appreciated:  Milton First Aid Squad, 45 Milton Road, Oak Ridge, NJ 07438 or online at Milton First Aid Squad - In Memory of Willeine Walsh  -  Thank you!