Mary Helen Lee, 56, passed away on February 7, 2026, at Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston, WV after a lengthy illness.
Mary was a graduate of WV State University where she earned her degree in political science. She was private about her personal life but was not shy in sharing her beliefs and opinions, especially about the importance of treating people and animals fairly and with kindness. She served several years as a lobbyist with the WV Legislature, lobbying for issues such as recognition of domestic partners in healthcare coverage and decision-making, preventing animal cruelty, advancing laws that expanded protected classes to the LBGTQ community and advancing hate crime laws.
She was closely connected with Mountain Stage and was an essential part of their crew for more than 25 years. She was called an “unsung hero” by her team and will be greatly missed.
Mary also had a deep love for Shakespearean theater and had a goal of seeing all 39 of Shakespeare’s plays which she was on her way to accomplishing. She viewed many of the plays at the American
Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, VA. Her favorite was their performance of Othello.
She found great joy in reading and writing and will be remembered for her intelligence and thoughtfulness.
She is survived by her mother, Kay Lee; her brother, Paul Lee and his wife, Patricia and their six daughters, her nieces, Rachel, Rebecca, Abigail, Ava, Chloe and Campbell; and her foster sister Tammy Underwood. She was preceded in death by her father, Samuel Lee, Jr.
She will be missed by many including her dear friend Cheri Heflin Callaghan.
In accordance with her wishes, no services will be held.
In lieu of flowers, she requests donations be made to Mountain Stage or American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, VA.
