Vivian E. Lee
Vivian E. Lee, M.D., passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Hawthorne on Nov. 9. She is survived by her daughter Janya Lee Erwin, sister Carol Bunds and four nieces.
She was born Apr. 13, 1932 on the homestead in Gillette, Wyo. The family moved to Oregon when she was around the age of 8. She graduated from Laurelwood Academy, a boarding high-school in Gaston, Ore. Later she would become the Dean of Women at Gem State Academy, a sister-boarding high school in Caldwell, Idaho. She attended Walla Walla College, Wash. and was good at many things, including playing the violin and hand-tinted the black and white photo that may be viewed in the memorial photo album.
Dr. Vivian Lee graduated from Loma Linda Medical School class of 1964. In med school she met and married her first husband Mun Lee, MD in 1966. They started a medical practice together in Lake County, Northern California and were known as Dr. Mun and Dr. Viv. Daughter Janya Lee was born a few years later. The marriage to Dr. Mun gradually dissolved and they split their practices.
Dr. Lee later remarried Harlan Sharp in what would become an on and off again relationship. However, Dr. Lee would ultimately retire to spend time with Harlan in an attempt to patch up the relationship once again, when he passed away in 2003.
Dr. Lee was an accomplished physician, in active practice for 39 years and a member of the American Academy of Family Practice. She was the redheaded community doctor for many years. She cared deeply about her patients. Memorial services were held on Nov. 15 at the Seventh Day Adventist Church and a reception at Bethel Baptist. She will be laid to rest in the Hawthorne cemetery next to Harlan Sharp.
The family would like to thank Dr. Lee’s close friends and the community for their support during this difficult time.
