Ruth Jane Lee, age 87, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2026, at Garden View Skilled
Nursing Care Center in Valley Park, Missouri.
Born on October 30, 1938, in Festus, Missouri, Jane was the daughter of Miriam and Francis
Carron. She graduated from Festus High School in 1956 and went on to attend Texas
Woman’s University in Denton, Texas, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in
Recreation Therapy. Later in life, Jane continued her education at Aurora University in
Aurora, Illinois, earning a Master’s degree in Business Management.
Following her graduation from Texas Woman’s University, Jane moved to Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, where she became Director of the Recreation Therapy Department at Milwaukee
Psychiatric Hospital. During her time in Milwaukee, she formed many lasting friendships and
met the love of her life, Don Lee. The couple married in 1966 and later welcomed two
children. In 1970, they moved to Aurora, Illinois, where Jane devoted her early years to
raising her family and becoming actively involved in the PTA.
As her children grew older, Jane returned to the workforce, beginning a career dedicated to
helping others. She joined Breaking Free, a drug and alcohol outpatient treatment facility in
Aurora, where she eventually became Executive Director.
In 1988, after both of their children had left for college, Jane and Don relocated to Belleville,
Illinois, allowing her to be closer to her mother in Festus, Missouri. Jane continued her work
in community service and advocacy, including serving as an Administrator at Queen of Peace
Center in St. Louis, where she oversaw programs supporting women and teenage girls
recovering from substance dependency.
Jane later became Executive Director of the Woman’s Crisis Center, now known as the
Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois, in Belleville. The organization provided
comprehensive services for abused women and children across a three-county area. For 16
years, Jane worked tirelessly to advocate for victims of domestic violence, leaving a lasting
impact on countless lives throughout the community.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Jane was deeply involved in the Rotary Club of
Belleville and proudly served as President in 2004. She was also a devoted Methodist and an
active member of Wesley Methodist Church in Aurora and St. Matthew United Methodist
Church in Belleville.
Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Miriam and Francis Carron, and by her beloved
husband, Don Lee.

She is survived by her daughter, Michelle (Vince) Gibbs of Ballwin, Missouri; her son, Chris
Lee of Troy, Illinois; her two grandsons, Ryan and Todd Gibbs; her brother, Terry Carron of
Springfield, Missouri and many extended family members and dear friends.
In accordance with Jane’s wishes, no memorial service will be held. Memorial donations may
be made to:
Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois
or
St. Matthew United Methodist Church Missions Program