Obituary of Lee Lonegren Dabney

In Loving Memory of Lee Lonegren Dabney

June 1, 1934 – April 29, 2025

 

Lee L. Dabney, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and cherished matriarch, passed away peacefully in Denver, Colorado surrounded by family on April 29, 2025, at the age of 90.

 

Early Life & Education

Lee was born in Montclair, New Jersey, on June 1, 1934, to Virginia and Sigfrid Lonegren. She attended the Emma Willard School and went on to Smith College. Though she paused her studies to raise a family, her love of learning never faded. In her late 50s, she earned a degree in Addictions Counseling from Metropolitan State University and later pursued postgraduate work in Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Denver.

 

Family Life & Motherhood

In 1955, Lee and her beloved husband Jesse Brooks Nichols III began raising their five sons in New Jersey before moving to Woodstock, Vermont in 1965. Vermont became a beloved home, full of love, activity, and adventure. The family spent many joyful times in Greensboro, Vermont on Caspian Lake, where some of her extended family also lived.

 After her 20-year marriage ended in 1975, Lee moved with her sons to Denver, Colorado, where her sister Sally lived. There, she began a new chapter — forging friendships and eventually settling in Cherry Hills.

 

Passions & Adventures

Lee was a natural athlete with a deep love for skiing and tennis. She taught all her sons to ski, creating lasting memories on the slopes of Vermont and Colorado. She was also a lifelong, passionate reader. 

 Her adventurous spirit led her to travel extensively with her second husband, Bill Dabney. Together, they explored South America, Europe, Australia, Asia, and more. But it was Africa — particularly East and Southern Africa — that captured her heart. She visited the continent 15 times, often with family, finding inspiration in its people, landscapes, and wildlife.

 

Friendships & Warmth

Lee touched many lives. She had a wide, close-knit circle of friends, including many of her sons’ friends. She will be remembered for her radiant smile, warm hugs, and genuine interest in others. Her home was a place of comfort, open conversation, and laughter. She had a vibrant, sometimes playful sense of humor and a thoughtful, ever-curious nature.

 

Heritage & Tradition

Proud of her Swedish heritage, Lee passed down cherished traditions — especially during Christmas. Family holidays were filled with laughter, music, delicious food, and heartfelt toasts.

 

Legacy 

Lee is survived by Jesse IV & Amy, David, Brad, and Stephen & Kelly; her grandchildren Jesse V & Lorren, Ben & Ali, Mara, and Ella; and her great-grandchildren Jesse VI, Isabel, and Sofia Lee. She was preceded in death by her son John and her sister Sally Lonegren and is survived by her brother Sig & Karin, who live in the Netherlands.

Her wisdom and fierce love will live on in the many lives she touched. In her spirit, we share some parting words:

“I Loved You All Deeply And Without Regret! Remember All The Beauty and Wonder We Shared In This Beautiful Challenging World! Forgive and Forget! It’s Over In A Blip!”

 

A private remembrance and burial will take place in Greensboro, Vermont, beside her son John and other family members by the shores of Caspian Lake.

 

In Lee’s memory, her family invites you to live as she did: love deeply, keep learning, cherish family, welcome others, and embrace life with boldness, kindness, and curiosity.