Katherine Elise (Reiblich) Lee, 84, of Westminster, passed away peacefully at home on June 23, 2026, surrounded by love. Born on May 6, 1942 in Baltimore, Maryland, she was the daughter of the late W. Edward Reiblich and Alda Katherine (Ide) Reiblich. She was the beloved wife of the late Porter M. Lee, Jr. 

Kay graduated from Milford Mill High School in 1960. She devoted her professional career to service and dedication. She began as the registrar at the Baltimore College of Commerce where she guided and assisted countless students. She later spent the remainder of her career with The Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company (C & P), as a budget manager. She remained with the company through its transition to Bell Atlantic and retired in 1997, after many years of faithful service.

Born with an adventurous spirit, Kay embraced life with enthusiasm and curiosity. She loved to travel, including overseas adventures, and spent many cherished years at her homes in Ocean City, Maryland, and Bonita Springs, Florida. She found joy in exploring new places, making memories, and sharing experiences with those she loved. Music was woven throughout Kay’s life. As a teenager in the 1950s, she spent weekends dancing the jitterbug at her local teen center. Her love of music never faded. She especially adored the Everly Brothers and could often be heard singing their songs aloud. She and her beloved husband, Porter, shared a passion for the arts and spent many happy years attending Broadway productions, theater performances, symphonies, and concerts together.

Those who knew Kay remember her beautiful smile, warm heart, and unmistakable giggle. She had a gracious nature that made people feel welcome and comfortable in her presence. Her laughter was contagious, and even the simplest moments could be brightened by her sense of joy. During her retirement years in Florida, she generously volunteered at the Bonita Shores Club, where she enjoyed giving back to her community. 

Kay shared 38 loving years of marriage with Porter, whose loss in 2018 left a space in her heart that never fully healed. Following his passing, she moved back to Maryland to live with her daughter, Holly Lee. For nearly seven years, Holly lovingly cared for her mother, providing comfort, companionship, dignity, and unwavering devotion throughout her journey with dementia. Kay will be remembered for her resilience, elegance, adventurous spirit, love of music, infectious giggle, and the kindness she showed to others throughout her life. Her family finds comfort in imagining her reunited with Porter, perhaps once again dancing to the music they loved so dearly.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Holly (Carver) Lee; her sister, Joyce Herbert; her stepson, Todd Lee; her stepdaughter, Dauphne Bitzel; and her beloved step-granddaughter, ChrisJohnna (“Chrissy”) Som, whom she loved as her own. She also leaves behind a cherished niece and nephew, extended family members, and loved ones.

Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her brother-in-law, John Patrick Herbert.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to her devoted caregivers, Ashley Nichols, Karley Miceli, and Kelsey Corrigan, whose kindness, compassion, and companionship brought comfort, dignity, and joy during her journey with dementia. Their love and support will never be forgotten.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Fletcher Funeral & Cremation Services in Westminster. Family and friends are warmly invited to gather, share memories, and celebrate Kay’s remarkable life. A Celebration of Life service will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Kay and her beloved husband, Porter, will be interred together in a private ceremony at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of Kay’s life and in support of families navigating dementia. https://www.alz.org/?form=FUNDHYMMBXU