Age 66

Lee Ann, or as she would prefer, Purple Butterfly, entered this world in Huntington, West Virginia. Lee Ann was a "Daddy's girl." She grew up hanging around her best friend Gena and took every opportunity to torment her brother Terry (aka "Turtle") whenever possible. Lee Ann entered the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC, where she met her first husband; they divorced after a brief marriage. Lee Ann met and married Mike Walewski while in the Army at Fort Bragg; they moved to Michigan upon their departures from the Army.

Mike and Lee Ann had four daughters, all within four years of each other! Lee Ann was a stay-at-home mom to Heather, Jenny, Angela and Mary Beth, and they still, to this day, wonder how she managed. She LOVED her grandchildren and referred to herself as "Yaya." She had a couple of favorite sayings when she ended conversations or visits: "I love you more than my luggage" and "LHK" (aka "love, hugs and kisses all around"). Her favorite color was purple, and she loved EVERYTHING in the color. She loved to dance to the theme song of the TV show Law and Order, and never ceased to tell her daughters when her favorite movies were playing so they could play them for her grandchildren.

Lee Ann struggled with mental illness her entire life and, although eventually her physical ailments took her from this earth, she always thought of herself as an outsider and a prisoner in her own world. Because of this, she taught her daughters the value of developing and maintaining a strong and healthy mental state. She taught the girls how to always follow their hearts, how to be successful, and not to rely on anyone for their own successes. She brought them all very close in times when they would need each other to support her, and they were with her until the very end. Lee Ann would want to be remembered as someone who, though she had many troubles and struggles, had a kind and compassionate heart. Heather, Jenny, Angela and Mary Beth also wish to remember the very good times above the difficult, the laughs instead of the tears, and the togetherness rather than the loneliness Mom so deeply struggled with.

Dear mother of Heather (Ryan) Broos, Jenny (Shane) Campos, Angela (John) Horgos and Mary Beth (Loren) Noyes. Grandmother of Harrison, Olivia, Gabriel, Elena, Hunter, Dexter and Molly. Sister of Terry (Roxane) Day. Daughter of the late Pearl and Doris Day.

Memorial visitation Monday 3-7pm at the John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home, 1139 Inkster Rd., Garden City (Between Ford Rd. and Cherry Hill).

Memorials suggested to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).

Private burial will take place with honors at Great Lakes National Cemetery.