Sept. 27, 1927—Oct. 30, 2009
Lee Tracy (nee Hughes) passed away Oct. 30, 2009 at her home in Clearwater, FL. Funeral services will be Sunday, Nov. 7, at 1 p.m., and the family will receive friends beginning at 11 a.m. at Bilbrey Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at Green Acres Cemetery.
Lee was born Philomena Frances Hughes Sept. 27, 1927, in Dublin, Ireland. Her family came to the United States in 1929 and they settled in Chicago, IL, where she remained until 1994 when she and her husband moved to Fairfield Glade, TN.
In her 60s, Lee attended Liberty University School of Lifelong Learning where she pursued a degree in theology. In Tennessee, Lee had been an active member of Fairfield Glade Evangelical Church. Throughout her life, she attended various neighborhood Bible churches. When asked what was most important to her, she always replied, "Jesus." The Scriptures, hymns and hospice chaplain gave her great comfort in her final days.
During her final days, Lee was surrounded by several of her children. Her heart gave out after a brief battle with cancer.
She is survived by 17 children, Diane Schneder, Clearwater, FL, Mike Tracy, Glendale Heights, IL, Tom Tracy, Warrenville, IL, Tom James, Clearwater, FL, Jim Tracy, Aurora, IL, Kathy Grupe, Hampshire, IL, Jim James, Chicago, Pat Cottle, San Angelo, TX, Brian James, San Jose, CA, Kevin Tracy, Palmetto, FL, Mary King, Hartford, WI, Tim Tracy, Elgin, IL, Joan Dodd, Lincolnshire, IL, Dan Tracy, Orange City, IA, Sherry Johnson, Clearwater, FL, Susan Kalb, Woonsocket, SD, and Nicole Cross, Cookeville, TN; 57 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granchild; sister, Elizabeth Anderson; two nieces; and three nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John J. Tracy; former husband, Don James; son, Don M. James; parents, John and Julia Hughes; and brothers, John Hughes and Thomas Hughes.
Bilbrey Funeral Home, Inc. (www.bilbreyfh.com) was in charge of the arrangements.
