NANCY LEE E. BRAHAM (nee Murray) passed away on February 17, 2021 at the age 88. A Cleveland, OH native, she also raised her family in the South Euclid, East Cleveland and Cleveland Heights communities. Nancy Lee spent the last several years at Marymount Assisted Living/Villa St. Joseph in Garfield Heights.
Former wife of the late James; loving mother of John (wife Cindy), Anne Clark (husband Arthur DeMonte), Kathleen Madden (husband Sean), Colleen Beard, Patrick, the late Maureen, and mother-in-law-of Jason Beard; devoted grandmother of Tianna (deceased), Megan Stano (husband Aric), Elizabeth and Emily Clark (fiancé Mitchell Frederick), Kiera Madden, Eleanor, Julia, Caroline and Audrey Beard, and great-grandmother of Eloise and John Stano; cherished daughter of the late Thomas and Zelda (nee Gordon) Murray; dearest sister of the late Richard (wife Norma); dear aunt, great-aunt and friend of many.
Born in 1932 and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Nancy Lee attended Ursuline Sacred Heart Academy High School. While in high school, she was a model at the former downtown Cleveland Halle Brother’s Department Store. A talented artist, she received a scholarship to attend the Cleveland Institute of Art where she attended a few semesters. She met James on St. Patrick’s Day in 1954 and they were married September 8, 1956 for 32 years before divorcing.
In her younger years, Nancy Lee not only taught preschool and PSR classes, but she started the preschool program at St. Gregory the Great in South Euclid. When Patrick was born in 1970, she became a strong advocate for him and countless other children in NE Ohio with disabilities. She was instrumental – along with James and many other parents/advocates – in ending institutionalized living for the disabled, decades ago.
She was a dedicated parishioner and amazing soprano vocalist at both St. Louis (Cleveland Hts.) and St. Margaret Mary Church (South Euclid). Outside of her church choir, she sang weddings (including her own children’s), funerals and special events.
Nancy Lee went back to school as a full-time student – and mother – and earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Ursuline College at the young age of 60. She became a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) and alcohol/drug counselor. She worked for Cleveland Catholic Charities, Matt Talbot for Women, Hitchcock Center for Women, St. Vincent Charity Hospitals, the East Side Catholic Shelter, and Bridgeway. She was instrumental in starting IWO-SAN. Now an inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, in its infancy, it was a shelter for pregnant, homeless, drug-addicted mothers and their children.
She volunteered her time for many causes over the years as well and sat on community boards, including the Ursuline College Alumnae Association and the Ursuline Affiliates. She had a deep respect and admiration for the Ursuline Sisters and their mission. She also was very involved with the Christian Life Center before its closing.
Nancy Lee was a proud member of AA and celebrated 39 years and 6 months of sobriety. She supported countless others in their sobriety and helped them conquer their struggles – one day at a time. Her courage to do this in her own life made her an even more incredible mother, grandmother, and friend to many.
She was an avid reader, gardener, and lover of all animals, coffee and chocolate. She loved going to the movies, eating out and visits to the Cleveland Art Museum. She loved to travel and her favorite trips were NYC and Ireland. She enjoyed sketching, painting, the lake, and watching the sun set. She would never turn down the opportunity to help someone in need and was truly everyone’s counselor. But, she never told people what to do – she allowed them to figure it out for themselves.
Nancy Lee accomplished so much in her life, but it was her family and friends that she truly lived for. She enjoyed being with her children and her grandchildren more than anything in the world.
She was very outgoing, loving, quick-witted, funny, compassionate, and always had positive perspective – even at the hardest of times. Her faith kept her strong during life’s most difficult challenges. You could often hear her say, “It is what it is.” She never said a bad word about anyone and was very content sitting and chatting with family, friends and even total strangers (as long as there was hot coffee involved). She made friends everywhere she went.
Her smile lit up rooms and her laugh will be heard forever.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Nancy Lee to Villa St. Joseph 5200 Marymount Village Dr., Garfield Hts., OH 44125. Private Family Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Gesu Catholic Church with Livestreaming. Burial following at All Souls Cemetery. Arrangements by THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID.
RECORDING OF THE MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Donations to Villa St.Joseph can be made here: https://stats.slimcd.com/soft/showsession.asp?sessionid=AB8B4A43A0F83A58531EE8D533F60B2A2AAC7F89.
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Todd Beard
So many smiles and Laughter, and good memories with Nancy Lee. She is remembered fondly and with love by the New Hampshire Beards (Todd, Gretchen, Emily and Callie)
Kathleen Johnson
Dear Family of Nancy, My deepest sympathy to you all. I sang with Nancy at St. Margaret Mary Choir for several years. She had one of the most clear, lilt soprano voices that I have ever enjoyed. Many of her solos are contained on numerous choir recordings which I still enjoy and savor. Her life was an inspiration to us all. I am certain that she is singing with the angel’s voices now. May she Rest In Peace and eternal light shine on her. Thank you for live-streaming her funeral Mass, it means a lot to me. Love, Kathie Johnson
barbara abramson
Colleen, I am sorry to hear about your mother. She was such a wonderful and special person. May she Rest In Peace.
Barbara Abramson
Yvonne Beamer
I met Nancy Lee when we both worked at Bridgeway. I realized she was one of the special ones right from the start. She and I became quick friends and continued getting together for many years, for meals, movies, watching British mysteries and having wonderful, long talks. She was often a guest in our home and then became part of our family. My husband, Charley, and I loved her dearly. I will never forget her smiles and laughter and her kind, gentle words that expressed a depth of understanding. She was so very wise. I thought of her as a sister and she became my very best friend. She and I understood each other so well. What a wonderful sense of humor too! She blessed our lives and now I know she and my Charley are lighting up the rooms in Heaven with their jokes and laughter. I look forward to joining them one day soon! God bless all of you in her family, each child and grandchild. I understand the depth of your loss, as it is mine too. May God give each of you His comfort that passes all understanding.
Megan
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Nancy Lee! She was such a joy to be around during my time working at The Village at Marymount! I loved our bus rides together when she was at MMP, listening to her stories, all her jokes, being a part of the many FaceTime calls with her family, being there to witness all the love from her family during her zoom birthday party, and her beautiful singing voice during sing-alongs! She was such a special lady and I was honored for the opportunity to know and love her!
Dave Hathaway
What a great tribute to a great lady!!! Ms. Braham touched so many lives both at Marymount Place and Villa St. Joseph, and I was so glad to have gotten the chance to know her a little in the last chapter of her life. She brought joy to other residents as well as staff, and I offer my deepest condolences to all of her Family and Friends during this difficult time.
AIT Manufacturing
Dear Kathleen, Sean and Family,
Our deepest sympathies of your loss, as our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. May there be comfort in knowing that someone so special will never be forgotten, as she has made such a difference in the countless lives she touched.
From your friends and colleagues at AIT Manufacturing
Annie Campbell
I remember what little time I had with Nancy Lee as cheerful and inspiring. We loved to sit outside in the courtyard together and talk about art and her time at Ursuline. She will be missed here at the Villa.
Paula Dyslin-O’Keefe
Kathleen, Sean, Kiera and your family-
Wishing you a peaceful hearts as you celebrate Nancy Lee. You are in our thoughts today, tomorrow and always♥️
Paula, Neal and Logan
Evie Morris
Nancy Lee was the parent we all trusted our teenagers to. She radiated acceptance and calm. She was a wise and compassionate soul and we are grateful to have known her. As they say in Judaism, ” May her memory be a blessing.” Our condolences to all who loved and cared for her. Evie & Stephen Morris
Cindy Beck and Family
Dear Anne, Kathleen, and Colleen,
Your mom was a genuinely accepting, kind, down-to-earth person who treated everyone with grace and respect. She perceptively saw the best in everyone and her wit was what I’m sure got her through the good times and the not so good. She will be missed.