Joan was born on May 26, 1924 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, to Get Poy Louie and Alice Tam Louie. Growing up, she played the violin in the orchestra and was quite active in student groups. In 1946 she graduated from McGill University (in Montreal, Canada) and then she went to Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts for a graduate degree. She did an internship in Baltimore, MD where she met her future husband, Dr. Benjamin B. Lee. She received her Master's degree in Social Work and married on the same day, September 1, 1948. Theirs was a marriage of 73 love-filled years, ending only because of Benjamin's death on September 12, 2021.

Joan worked as a social worker in adoption services at Family and Children's Society in Baltimore, while Benjamin finished college at Johns Hopkins University and also while he went to medical school at University of Maryland. Then they had 2 children, Yvonne and Douglas. While the children were in school, Joan became totally involved in their activities – both at school and after – PTA, music lessons, church activities, theater classes, Chinese language classes, Chinese family camp, swimming lessons, cultural experiences, and the like. When the children were older, Joan went back to work, this time as a psychiatric social worker in a Taylor Manor Hospital (a private psychiatric hospital). Her last position was a hospice social worker at St. Agnes Hospital. After Ben's retirement as an anesthesiologist, they lived in Ocean City, MD; Vero Beach, FL; Shoreline, WA; and finally back to Vero Beach, FL in 2015. Ben and Joan also enjoyed traveling and even went on missionary trips to Nigeria and Australia.

Joan had a special heart for children and young people, not just her own. She combined her love of children with her love of music while volunteering in musical theater productions (especially Gilbert and Sullivan) performed in her children's school. She and Ben often hosted get-togethers for Johns Hopkins students at their home (she was a great cook). And later in life, they taught Sunday School and worked in the nursery at church. Wherever she was, she focused on the children or young people around.

Joan was full of life and always cheerful and optimistic. She brightened everyone's day, even when she developed severe dementia. She had a very strong faith in God, and that carried through her dementia as well.

She is survived by her children, Yvonne Lee Tso (James Tso) and Douglas J. Lee (Lyn Sullivan Lee); step granddaughter, Kimberly Tso (John Pomeroy); step grandsons, Travis Sullivan (Megan Sullivan); Gavin Sullivan (Shadia K'David); Brandon Sullivan; Collin Sullivan (Annelise Sullivan); and step grand daughter, Megan Sullivan. Step great grandchildren include: Kaiya Pomeroy-Tso; Jacqueline Pomeroy-Tso; Cailyn Sullivan, Brynne Sullivan; Alec Sullivan; Gibran Sullivan; Ezekiel Sullivan; Chance Sullivan; Rowan Sullivan; and Anderson Sullivan. She is survived by her sister Bernice Kwong (David Kwong) and the family of her deceased sister, Rose Jay (Dan Jay). On her husband's side, she is also survived by his siblings: third brother Wing Lee (Nitaya Lee), Lane Lee (Helen Lee), Jane Lee Marriott (Richard Marriott), Sue Lee Wong (Douglas Wong), Bai Liang Lee (Mei Shan Lee) and their families. She is survived as well by the families of his deceased brothers, King Lee (Marie Lee) and Joe Lee (Patsy Fasano), and his deceased sister, Kay Lee.

In this time of covid, there will be a video-based memorial service for family and close friends. Donations can be made in memory of Joan L. Lee to VNA Hospice, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960, OR to ACTS Legacy Foundation, Samaritan Fund or IRE Fellowship of Hope, 2250 Indian Creek Blvd. West, Vero Beach, FL 32966.