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In memory of

Lora Jane Lee

Santa Monica

July 30, 1954 - October 21, 2019

Jul 30, 1954 - Oct 21, 2019

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Lora Jane Lee, 65, of Santa Monica, CA, San Diego, CA and previously Winnekta, IL, left this world on October 21, 2019 suddenly, and in many ways indicative of the life she lead: decisive, driving fast, and on her own terms.

Lora had a deeply loving spirit, a zest for life and a wonder about death, with a biting sense of humor to match; a curious soul, generous nature and unwavering, supportive strength; and an everlastingly open ear and soft shoulder to all who knew her (and many who did not.)

Her life had countless chapters and sagas, many of which are neither fit to print (nor, probably, above Lora’s fiercely private and self-effacing nature.)

They included an idyllic upbringing in Chicago’s North Shore with her adoring parents Paul and Suzy, and “Party of Five” gang of siblings, Celia, Tom, Craig and Marcia; a collegiate transfer to the University of Oregon, to head west, study English, and become a hippie without pretense or granola; a graduate education of Social Work in Colorado, where she was a wholehearted advocate for battered women; and a full 30+ year life as an L.A. resident-turned-native, who lamented the traffic but stayed for the sunshine (and proximity to the ocean).

Her decades spent in L.A. were rooted in countless personal and professional relationships she cherished, multiple careers she poured herself into, and a family she built between Hollywood and Santa Monica, with her sisters by her side for the majority of it.

She had a quiet passion and drive, working as a story editor and producer for over 20 years, in film at Paramount, New World, 20th Century Fox, and with her friend John Hughes, before moving into television in the 1990s at Nickelodeon, all while steadily and enthusiastically juggling her three kids, Jack, Emma and Alice, and making time for her husband, Jerry. When asked early in her career if she wanted to be famous, she famously replied, “Only among my family and friends.” And she was most certainly that, with her kids especially. She wore many hats as a mother, ranging from soccer mom (say nothing of basketball, baseball, and football), baker and chef, chauffeur, softball-player, spiritual and legal council, script-reading tutor, cheerleader, devoted mom to Jaspar the dog, and many more.

She was as at home in the natural world as she was in the city, be it on the trails of the Santa Monica Mountains or Sunday picnics with friends at Will Rogers; soaking up summers amidst the untouched beauty of Crystal Lake in Michigan, or the Pacific Northwest’s solitary majesty of Guemes Island, or just strolling (read: power-walking) through whatever city or town she found herself in.

She was pragmatic, non-judgmental, and a truly free spirit who refused labels of herself and others at all costs, as evidenced by doing a career-180 to get her Yoga Teacher Training certification at the impressionable age of 53.

The last chapter of her life was perhaps most emblematic of her strength, resilience and tenacity, as she suffered a severe stroke in 2008. She approached the thousands of hours spent toward her recovery with resolve and steel, and always refused to feel sorry for herself. “I’m good!” became her rallying cry and default greeting. The subsequent decade saw her ferociously approach five housing changes, two dogs she adored, Rex and Smooch, and a loving relationship with her partner Rusty Rodes. All the while, she remained undeterred as a committed mother, daughter and sibling, and approached each day with a warrior-like attitude, at home, on the streets and sidewalks of L.A., or on any of the trips she took across the country, from Yosemite to New York City.

She will be remembered for her affinity of nicknames (with aliases of Lo, Sweet Lo, Louella, to name a few), eternally ticklish knees, understated silk-and-velvet chic fashion sense (and later, curiously, puffy vests), and her aggressively raised right eye-brow when she wasn’t sure if you were telling the truth. Her loves were numerous: coffee, popcorn, trail mix, fun-sized Halloween candy (with a bottomless bowl of treats for her guests always at the ready), Dairy Maid’s Lemon Custard soft-serve, good burgers, Fritto Misto and Angeli, poetry, films of all sizes and colors, poking fun at Awards Shows with loved ones, shortcuts and well-intentioned back seat driving, James Taylor and Nina Simone, dogs of every shape and size, and above all, her friends and family.

She loved her children to the moon and back, carried her Midwestern kindness wherever she went, and lived each moment with an open heart. She memorized hundreds of family and friends birthdays like it was her job, kept a supply of birthday and greeting cards for specific people in her life big enough to endure multiple lifetimes, relished giving unexpected gifts (even when gift-giving truces were reached), and only left price tags on when hell froze over.

She is survived by her son, Jack Ross, daughters Emma and Alice Ross, and their father, Jerry Ross; her mother, Suzy Lee, sisters Celia and Marcia Lee, and brothers, Tom and Craig Lee; and her current partner, Rusty Rodes, as well as countless aunts and uncles, in-laws, cousins, and, of course, her overly affectionate bichon frise, Smooch.

A celebration of Lora’s life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 21, 2019, at the Pacific Palisades Women’s Club at 901 Haverford Ave, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Stroke Association of Southern California. Her hugs, laughter, wisdom and bright smile will be deeply missed, and her beautiful spirit lives on through all those who knew her.

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