Funeral services are scheduled for Ann Tsosie Lee, a beloved figure in the Sawmill community. She will be remembered as a matriarch and one of the oldest residents of the area. The services will be held on Friday, September 1 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Fort Defiance, Arizona. Ann will be laid to rest at the Fort Defiance cemetery.
Ann Tsosie Lee was born on November 5, 1933, in Sawmill, Arizona, belonging to the Tó’áhaní (Near the Water Clan) and Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). At the age of 89, she peacefully passed away on August 27, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones in Fort Defiance.
As a wife and mother, Ann played an integral role in her family. She married Charlie Kee Lee and together they had six children. However, Ann’s nurturing extended far beyond her own family. She opened her heart and home to countless other children, becoming a mother and grandmother figure to them.
Ann faced many challenges throughout her life with incredible courage, willpower, faith, love, and resilience. She tragically lost both her mother and father at a young age, leaving her to be raised by her brothers. Despite these obstacles, Ann persevered and became a wife, mother, sheepherder, and agricultural farmer. She was dedicated to nurturing her fields and livestock to feed her community and took part in many kinaaldá ceremonies, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations of women and children.
Ann is survived by her children—Phillip Wauneka, Nora Lee, Norman Lee, Norbert Lee, and Norma Lee—as well as 19 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Nibaah’ and Jim Tsosie, her brothers, Sam Tsosie, Naswood Tsosie, David Tsosie Sr., Richard Tsosie, and John Jay Tsosie Sr., her husband, Charlie Kee Lee, her daughter, Mildred Lee, her son, Charlie Lee Jr., and three grandchildren.
The pallbearers for Ann’s funeral will be Fernando Tilden, Philander Wauneka, Jamesen Ahasteen, Joel Herbert, Anthony Tsosie, and Sharon Tsinnijinnie. The honorary pallbearers will be Phillip Wauneka, Norman Lee, and Larry Tsosie.
Following the funeral services, a reception will be held at St. Dominic Hall in Fort Defiance. Summit Funeral Home has overseen the arrangements for the services.
In a separate funeral service, the Lukachukai community will gather to remember Lillie Ann Robertson. The 87-year-old Lukachukai resident passed away on August 27. Her graveside service will take place on Friday, September 1, at 10 a.m. at the Lukachukai cemetery. Lillie was born on March 15, 1936, and belonged to the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). After completing high school, she worked as a dental assistant at Indian Health Services. Lillie enjoyed traveling and is survived by her sons, Virgil Clyde, Victor Clyde, and Trenton Twofeathers, her daughter, Tammy Robertson, her parents, Lola and Jim Joe, her brother, Anslem Joe, and her sister, Sadie Vicentie. Lillie is preceded in death by Marvin Robertson, Sharon Robertson, Gordon Robertson, and Charlotte Robertson.
The funeral services for Theodore Thompson Sr., a Ganado resident, were held on August 28 at the Ganado Catholic Church. Theodore, born on May 15, 1947, in Ganado, belonged to the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan) and Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). He worked as a construction laborer. Theodore is survived by his son, Theodore Thompson Jr., his stepson, Micheal Thompson, his stepdaughters, Charlene Anderson and Charlotte Thompson, his sisters, Miriam Cornfields, Marie Wellington, and Helen James, as well as his 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by David Thompson, Harold Thompson, Catherine Thompson, and Samuel Thompson. The service was officiated by Brother Paul, and Theodore was laid to rest in Burnside, Arizona.
These funerals serve to commemorate the lives of three individuals who touched the hearts of their families and communities. Their legacies will live on in the memories of their loved ones and the impact they had on those around them.
