In memory of

Charlene Lee

September 8, 1988 - January 17, 2025

Charlene Lee was born on September 8, 1988. At the age of 36, God decided to take her under his wing on January 17, 2025. She was a loving daughter to Edna and Swee, a wonderful sister to Robert, sister-in-law to Bernice and the best aunt to her nephew Dylan.

Charlene graduated with a Bachelors in Music from the University of Toronto and a Masters in Library and Information Science from Western University. She worked with the Toronto Public Library for most of her life, eventually becoming the branch head of Sanderson Library.

Charlene had a passion for helping the community. Whether it was delivering food with the Bike Brigade, constructing tiny homes for the homeless, or serving the community through outreach programs such as ACES (Alexandra Community & Encampment Support).

Not only was Charlene a big help to her community, she was also a big help to our planet. She cherished the earth we walked on and took strides in her everyday life to protect the planet. She was always environmentally conscious. Beyond the standard reduce, reuse, & recycle methods, she created worm farms from food scraps to produce compost for her plants and garden. She went as far as gathering caterpillars and raised them until they became beautiful monarch butterflies. Why? To increase their survival for migration to Mexico. She really made the world a better place for us and the next generations to come.

To her friends and family, Charlene was always so generous and kind. She was just as supportive as she was fun. Our hearts may have lost her physically but her love will carry on in our tomorrows. She left traces of her love all over the community. We would like to honour her memory by promising to leave the world in a better place than we found it.

Guestbook

(5 of 80)

Annie Rogel (Friend co-worker)

Entered January 21, 2025 from Toronto

Charlene is one of the best person and mentor I’ve ever had. She trained me

Patricia Chaput (Friend from the Library)

Entered January 21, 2025 from Scarborough

Charlene was very sweet. she was in my Storytime class, then we hired her as a page...and she exceled from there. what a tragedy. I feel for the parents because I know. my daughter was also taken from my life..way too soon

Angela Wong (co-worker)

Entered January 21, 2025 from TPL Steeles Branch

Please accept my sincere condolences, my thoughts are with Charlene's family and loved ones during this difficult time.

Katherine Girard (Colleague)

Entered January 21, 2025 from Etobicoke, Ontario

Dear Lee Family,

Charlene and I met many years ago when doing Children's Programming. Her enthusiasm and optimistic outlook thrilled the children and they adored Charlene. Charlene was a wonderful person who cared deeply about the library and the community. Her strengths built strong teams and allies both in the library system and the community. Charlene's passing was a terrible loss and please know we are grieving for you. Please know how much Charlene was thought of and loved by us all.
Sincerely, Katherine Girard - Runnymede Branch

Annie Rogel (Friend and co-worker)

Entered January 21, 2025 from Toronto

I remembered her as the best mentor regarding my job. Children’s programs, outreach and most of all the skills in playing Ukulele. She’s generous sharing what she knows to help improve the work and responsibilities. So sad I’ll miss her gone so soon.