Clara Huie Lee

Clara Huie Lee, 93, passed away on May 8, 2023, with her family by her side.

Born in Lewiston, Idaho, on February 18, 1930, to Ning and Lim Shee Huie, Clara was the sixth youngest of seven children. In 1934 her parents moved to the Huie Village in China to immerse their children in Chinese culture and traditions. Due to the war, the family moved back to the U.S. around 1937 and started a farm in Walla Walla, Washington.

Clara did not speak English when they returned, but she quickly learned with dedication and perseverance, earning her recognition in the National Honor Society in her junior year of high school (normally a senior year honor). She went to business college in Portland, Oregon, but did not finish because her beau, Bob, decided he could not wait until he graduated from pharmacy school to marry her. They were married February 4, 1951, during spring break of his senior year. Bob joined the Air Force and they were stationed in Albuquerque, San Antonio, and Denver, for the next five years during which their three children were born.

Following Bob’s discharge from the Air Force, the family moved back to Albuquerque and bought a pharmacy which they worked together. Shortly, she found her passion as a very successful real estate broker and eventually opened her own company, Clara Lee Realty.

She loved gardening, golfing, bowling, arts and crafts, baking, cooking, and going to the casino with her sister, Annie. Clara and Bob loved to travel in their RV and were very active as travelcade leaders and rendezvous directors.

She co-founded the Chinese American Citizen’s Alliance and was active in her church and community.

Family was of the utmost importance to her and she instilled that quality in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends.

Clara was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Robert (Bob); brothers, Sheow and Jimmy; sisters, Marie Eng, Fannie Seid and Nina Eng; and grandson, Andrew Lee.

She is survived by her sister, Annie; sons, Steven (Judy) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and David (Sandra) of Denver, Colorado; and daughter Debbie (J.R.) of Albuquerque, NM. She is further survived by 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, June 30, 2023, at 11:00AM at First United Methodist Church, 315 Coal Ave. SW, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The family wishes to thank the amazing and caring staff of Ambercare Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Boys Town or Meals on Wheels of Albuquerque. Please visit our online guestbook for Clara at https://www.danielsfuneral.com/obituaries/clara-lee