The Beautiful Life of My Grandma Betty Jean Lee aka Tough Cookie

I’m going to remember all of the great memories I experienced with the best grandma whom I loved my entire life.

Betty Jean Lee was that kind of person who has made a huge difference/contribution to the Lee family and Portland, Oregon. I’m going to share some great memories of my Grandma in this story.

When my three cousins (Rachel, Claire and Mira) and myself decided to socialize with Grandma at her dining room table in her condo, they were playing around with their smartphones and minding their own business. However, when all of a sudden Grandma was seeking some technical support assistance with her iPad Mini. Everyone decided to drop their smartphones and help her out. This left a smile on her face because her grandkids wanted to respect their loving Grandma.

I called Grandma one day and she wanted me to buy her groceries at her favorite restaurants/grocery stores in the Portland metropolitan area. She texted me a list of stuff for me to purchase, however she was in desperate need for her groceries. When I was waiting for her Vietnamese sandwich at Best Baguette, I remember her calling my phone and she said, “Trevor where are my groceries? I need them now!! I responded, “I’m waiting for your order so I can deliver everything to you.” Once I arrived to her condo and provided her groceries, she said “Thank you Trevor”. Five minutes later, she called me as I was heading back to Lake Oswego and told me she only wanted one thing from her list. I didn’t want to yell at her because I have to respect her as an elder. I just had to listen to her, say sorry and move on with my day. She always called me for technical support in regards to the printer in her bedroom and I would jump on any printing issue, i.e. low ink, paper jam, etc.

I would always remember my Grandma as the person that was the strongest woman in my family. Occasionally, I would offer her food for her to eat from her favorite restaurants or pastry shops that she enjoyed visiting, i.e. Coco Donuts, Popeye’s Fried Chicken, Best Baguette, etc. She would bake me cookies or anything that was cooking in her kitchen. I enjoyed dining with her and the Bonnet family and playing jokes with Uncle Dick Bonnet, whether it was at the beach in Lincoln City or in her condo.

I had to be respectful of my Grandma’s rules in regards to COVID whenever I visited her. I would remember the night when she announced her cancer diagnosis. I asked her if she was scared, but I was determined to call her every week to check on her health.

During the holidays, I learned that her health was deteriorating and she suffered a stroke. I had to be with her at Emanuel Hospital and say my finals goodbyes before she went to be with her loving husband Grandpa Fred in Heaven. This has been a very difficult time for me, but I know she’s in a better place and she can eat and dance with Grandpa Fred.

Rest in Peace Grandma I will always love you and miss bonding with you.