Josephine Lee

August 29, 1925 - May 25, 2022

Josephine Lee was born in Oakland, CA and raised in Berkeley. She graduated from Berkeley High School and attended Merritt Community College. Ambitious and focused, Josephine worked her way up from clerk typist at the Alameda Naval Air Station to Director of the Military Pay Department on Treasure Island. Josephine was outgoing, outspoken, and independent. In fact, she was still driving at age 96! From city council meetings to presidential elections, Josephine enjoyed participating in politics and making sure her voice was heard. She was active in her neighborhood, and successfully fought for and established a stoplight, sidewalk lighting, and a median strip on San Pablo Avenue in Oakland. She co-founded the San Pablo Avenue Golden Gate Improvement Association, and chaired her Neighborhood Watch group for many years. In 1963, she was a co-chair of the first United Negro College Fund Beaux-Arts Ball, which raised thousands of dollars for the organization. Josephine loved to attend jazz concerts and take jazz cruises. Her “pet project”, and one of her greatest achievements, was the free Jazz on Sundays event at the Golden Gate Library. Josephine was a co founder and president of the Friends of the Golden Gate Library. For 30 years, Josephine brought local and nationally known musicians and singers to the summer series. Family gatherings played a large part in Josephine’s life. She loved celebrating holidays and birthdays and could always be counted on to contribute her sweet potato dish, deviled eggs, or a scrumptious dessert. She enjoyed watching Warriors games and spending Super Bowl Sundays with her family members. She touched many lives and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Josephine leaves behind her long-time partner, Venson J. Kelly, a bevy of cousins, and her friend of many decades, Mae Turner.