Obituary of Lee Marston Colby

Lee Marston Colby passed away peacefully on September 5, 2023, at the age of 90. 

Lee is survived by her children Carol Colby of Mocksville, NC (Hugh Spinx) Meredith Colby of Chicago, IL (Derrick Procell and granddaughter Evelyn Procell) Jeanette Colby of Minneapolis, MN (Dave Gutzke and granddaughter Annika Gutzke), and Ross Colby of Chicago, IL (Julie Larrow Colby and grandchildren Maia Colby and MacDonald Colby). She was preceded by her twin sister, Elsa Marston Harik of Bloomington, IN.

Lee was born on March 18, 1933, to Harriett Pierce Marston and Prof. Everett Marston in Newton, Massachusetts. She received both her Bachelor's degree and Master’s degree in Social Work from Northeastern University in Boston. She married Ralph C. Colby in 1954 (div. 1973). As a Congregational minister’s wife she lived in several communities but called Minneapolis her home for 50 years. 

Founding and running her own consulting firm in 1975, Lee M. Colby & Associates, she had a successful career as a management coach and consultant in the corporate, public, and education sectors. 

Lee was an avocational musician and shared her love of song as a volunteer every week for over 40 years at assisted care facilities and veterans’ homes. She was an active community member and volunteer who made a point to befriend and help immigrants who were new to her neighborhood. Lee loved reading, camping, gardening, animals and nature. Her kindness, generous nature, and quirky sense of humor endeared her to many.

Her children will hold a private celebration of life event, with gratitude for all those who made our mother's life richer, deeper and more loving.

Lee’s children would like to thank the caregivers and staff at The Orchards of Minnetonka for their gracious help and care.