Carol Lee "Clee" McBee

Carol Lee McBee, 69, of Jonestown, passed away Monday, September 15, 2014 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Lebanon. Born in Peckville, Lackawanna County, PA, she was the daughter of the late Walter Foley and Pauline Yaremchak. Known as "Clee" to her friends and family, she demonstrated advanced abilities in the sciences while attending Benton School in Fleetville, PA. Clee first attended Penn State University and then transferred to the University of Maryland University College, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree. Clee also obtained her Master of Science in physics from Catholic University in Washington, DC. Despite a dearth of women working in the sciences in the early 1970s, Clee blazed a trail in her positions at the Science Policy Research Division of the Congressional Research Service, the Institute for Materials Research at the U.S. Bureau of Standards, and General Electric. Clee also worked as a manager for the U.S. Census Bureau during the 2010 Census. Clee raised three children, all of whom she encouraged to nurture their talents and passions. She was very proud of the fact that all three children had achieved college degrees, with two holding graduate degrees as well. Clee was a dedicated member of the Quaker Valley Senior High School community in Leetsdale, PA. Her supportive and enthusiastic presence was crucial to the many activities her children were involved in—from marching band, to musical and dramatic performances and ice hockey games. During the turbulent years of the late 1960s, Clee was an avid supporter of the civil rights movement, and attended many nonviolent marches and rallies. Clee also became a passionate advocate for LGBTQ rights. She loved to travel the world, which afforded many invaluable opportunities for her children to experience different cultures and customs. She was the proud host mother to several foreign exchange students, whom she remained in close contact with long after their year in her home ended. Clee was a legendary cook, and loved to create new recipes. Her table became a welcoming place for many friends and family, and she also catered large-scale dinners for several important moments in her children's lives, including graduations and wedding rehearsals. Clee is survived by her children, Thomas McBee, New York, NY; Clare McBee, wife of Dan Johnston, Chicago, IL; Brett McBee-Wise, Oakland, CA; sisters, Phyllis, wife of Albert Sildorff, Lebanon, PA; Barbara Ann, wife of Jim Beswick, Sebring, FL; brothers, Walter J., husband of Kate Foley, Gaithersburg, MD and Joseph, husband of Maria Foley, Woodsboro, MD. She was preceded in death by her brother, Thomas Foley. Private services will be held by the family. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that memorial contributions in "Clee's" memory may be made to the National Academy of Sciences, Feeding America, American Civil Liberties Union or Amnesty International.

Carol Lee "Clee" McBee

November 23, 1944 - September 15, 2014