Hilda Rebecka Lee

RALEIGH - Hilda Rebecka Lee (née Freudenthal) passed away on August 17, 2020 at Stewart Health Center, Springmoor Life Care Community in Raleigh, NC. She was born on January 26, 1921 near the North Sea in Germany to parents Klaus Johan and Margarete ‘Greta’ Freudenthal. In 1951 she immigrated to the United States to seek out a better life, arriving in New York City as her first stop. She worked at an Ice Cream shop where she learned English and eventually gained her US citizenship. It was here that she met her future husband, the late Frank Louis Lee, Jr. whom she married in 1956. They settled in New Jersey, spending much of that time in Ocean County raising their three children. In her later years she moved to Raleigh, NC to be near her daughter Jennifer, where she had a wonderful time showing off her youngest grandchildren. Hilda is survived by her son, two daughters and their spouses, Frances and Frank Thompson of Hartsburg, Missouri, Jennifer and Tom Peterson of Raleigh, North Carolina, and John and Linda Lee of Pennington, New Jersey. In addition, ‘Oma’ is survived by seven grandchildren, Kyle and his wife Erin Thompson in Alaska, Katie Thompson in Chicago, Rebecca, Sarah, Hannah Peterson all in Raleigh, Allison Lee and her husband John Barnum in Philadelphia, and Christopher Lee in New Jersey. She was preceded in death by her sister, Magda Seebeck, and her brother Walther Freudenthal. Always fearless and fiercely independent, Hilda’s ideals were truly American. She placed great value on having the freedom to express her opinions, and never took for granted the opportunity to participate in an election and have her voice heard. She was a consummate baker and chef, her pound cakes were sought after, her German dishes such as kale and pinkelwurst are still a family tradition. Her eggnog recipe is so good it is considered a family secret. Her children and grandchildren learned many life lessons from ‘Oma’ and for that we are most grateful. A life well lived and not to be forgotten. Funeral services and burial at BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society. Funeral arrangements are by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home of Raleigh, NC and Tilghman Funeral Home of New Egypt, NJ. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com or www.tilghmanfh.com