Laurie Hollands Lee

Laurie Hollands Lee (59) passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, June 5 in Layton, Utah, following a battle with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer, lovingly surrounded by her family.

Laurie was born to Doxey and Barbara Hollands on April 20, 1963 in Ogden, Utah and had a wonderful childhood with her 6 siblings. After graduating from Ben Lomond High School in 1981, she studied Education at Weber State where she met Kelly Lee - the love of her life for the last 38 years - while singing together in an institute choir. After marrying in 1983, they lived in Salt Lake City, St. Louis, Kaysville, Logan, and then finally settled in Colorado Springs in 1992. They welcomed 5 children over the years as Laurie’s highest priority became making lasting family memories - which blossomed into creating magical childhoods full of music, the outdoors (camping, boating, ATVing) and many fun road trips traveling together. Their dedication to family and the gospel of Jesus Christ created a loving home where their children were raised to be honest and capable adults. After many of the kids moved to Utah for college and started families there, Laurie insisted that she and Kelly follow and with their youngest son Adam moved in Layton, Utah in 2014. The close proximity led to many beloved family dinners, trips, and holiday celebrations. As a well-loved grandmother, Laurie spent a lot of time and energy doting on grandchildren, sharing gifts and goodies, taking them on dates, and planning many fun activities from backyard outdoor movie nights to picnics at the park. 

When not spending time tending to her family, Laurie had many hobbies that served those around her.  She was a talented seamstress making blankets, quilts and hooded baby towels, clothing and other crafts for all her loved ones. She spent countless hours preserving memories in bookshelves of scrapbooks for her children. Neighbors and family enjoyed her green thumb as she freely shared the bounties of her garden from year to year. 

Music was always a huge part of Laurie’s life, which likely led to being voted the most talented female in her high school graduating class.  With little training, her naturally clear and angelic solo voice captivated audiences and touched hearts in profound ways that she never fully realized - except perhaps that it first and quickly turned Kelly’s head and heart. She shared her talent in
musicals and choirs, solos and duets with Kelly and his guitar accompaniment, bands and musical groups, church and road show numbers including some arranging.  She instinctively taught her children to comfortably enjoy singing, performing and Christmas caroling from a very young age.  The hereditary family blend was magical and memorable.  She also inspired as many as 20 youthful piano students at a time with their earliest love for music.

Occasionally entering the workplace, Laurie added value to her life and those around her. Examples were working with youngsters as a preschool teacher, working for and managing a number of small businesses providing services like advertising, house staging, house painting, and housekeeping.  In her final 5 years, she worked for Community Nursing Services (CNS) and used her organizational skills to help dozens of immunization clinics run smoothly.

Laurie was blessed with a testimony of Jesus Christ and was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints her entire life.  She was a blessing to those around her serving in Ward and Stake Primaries and Relief Societies, as well as family history and various service committees. 

To know Laurie was to love her. She was bubbly, quick to laugh, kind and patient. She fiercely loved her family and spent much of her time serving them and creating timeless memories. Anyone who has heard her sing remembers her beautiful voice and gift for music. She was gracefully wonderful at all roles she was put into from wife, mother, and family member to teacher, coworker, and friend. Her early return to our Heavenly Father has left a massive hole in
the lives of those who have spent years loving her, however, there is solace through the Gospel of Jesus Christ that we will be reunited again. 

Laurie was preceded in death by her father Doxey, sister Janice (Frank) Heath, and brother John Hollands. She is survived by her husband Kelly, mother Barbara (Nielson) Hollands; her sisters Lynette (Brent) Bowen, Shauna (Kevin) Garner, Pat (David) Taylor, brother Neil (Sharon) Hollands and brother-in-law Frank; children Jason (Felicia), Wendy (Will) Day, Katie (Jake) Stansfield, Joseph (Lizzie),  Adam, and eight grandchildren with two on the way.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Monday, June 13 at 11am at the Angel Street Chapel at 628 S Angel Street in Layton (Utah 84041). A viewing will be held starting at 9:30am to 10:45 am prior to the service. Interment will be in the Ogden City Cemetery.

Laurie’s family would like to express appreciation for the care she received at Huntsman Cancer Institute. Due to some family allergy concerns, they would appreciate limiting flowers and instead invite interested loved ones to consider a donation to the Laurie Lee Memorial Fund (Venmo) @Laurie-Lee-73 .

Service will be streamed at : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMOsJXGF4RFLSlxZnnNx8WA?app=desktop

https://youtu.be/aaGLDZq06HM-Celebration of Life Service