When I was a little girl, I considered Lee to be my second Mommy. For a while we even all lived in the same duplex. I have so many memories of that time in Berkeley. I was about 5 years old and “Little Sasha” was about 3, I think. We wandered freely from our part of the house to theirs. I remember “rice and butter”, singing songs, and so much silliness and laughing. Sasha and I used to steal the avocados from the salad before it would even hit the table. And always Lee was there, being silly and making us feel so important even though we were kids. She was a wonderful listener and amazing story teller. She was my mom’s best friend. When my mom was dying, she was there with us, being strong and so present. She and my mom were models of female strength for me. I know that they are together in spirit and that laughter and joy is ringing through heaven.
All my love,
Rachel (Perkoff) DiPaola