- In Memory of Rina Lee -

On behalf of Joe and his family, we want to thank you for your overwhelming demonstration of love, care, and support. This GoFund campaign has brought together friends from all different walks of life to acknowledge the invaluable gift of human relationships and to honor those people, like Rina and Joe, who leave indelible impressions in the lives of others.

Personally, I want to encourage you to reach out to Joe and Gina now more than ever as the Los Angeles and Madison services have come to an end. Rina's absence is magnified as they adjust to this new reality. Please keep them in your prayers and continually remind them of this amazing community of friends and family that are here for them. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Happy Thanksgiving and wishing you a wonderful holiday season. 


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*** Memorial Service Time and Update from Joe ***

Dear Friends and Family,

Rina died November 1st at 9:00 am. Although she struggled early in the morning, towards the end she left peacefully. I was with her, holding her hand, we looked at one another, and we had an intimate moment.

After that time, it has been busy with all funeral preparations. Rina wanted to be buried in LA, and because of the generous “gofundme” campaign, we are able have a beautiful funeral in LA. Thank you for all those who helped and contributed.

Below I have information for the Los Angeles funeral.

Funeral Information:
DATE:  Friday, November 11, 2016
TIME:  10:30AM
LOCATION:  SkyRose Chapel at Rose Hills
3888 Workman Mill Road
Whittier, CA 90601

Directions to SkyRose Chapel:
www.rosehills.com/en-us/about-us/skyrose-chapel.page


In lieu of flowers, the family wishes a donation be made in Rina's honor to the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center where she received such warm care and treatment. You can donate online at www.uwhealth.org/donateuwccc or if you prefer to contribute by mail, send a check payable to UW Carbone Cancer Center to:

UW Carbone Cancer Center
Attn: Katie Williquette
600 Highland Ave., K4/658
Madison, WI 53792-6164

*Please be sure to note that the donation is being made in honor of Rina Lee so the family can send personal thanks.


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*** Memorial Service Announcement***


Dear Friends,

Our hearts go out to each and every one of you… and though we may not all know one another, we are bound by the mutual love and admiration we have for Rina and Joe.  Seeing the flood of beautiful photos of Rina on social media and reading all the fond memories of her have been a source of comfort for us all.

"Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love.  It’s all the love you want to give but cannot.  All of that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest.  Grief is just love with no place to go."

Please join us as we continue to love, celebrate, and honor Rina’s life at the memorial service followed by a reception.


DATE:  Friday, November 11, 2016
TIME:   morning (exact time TBA)
LOCATION:  SkyRose Chapel at Rose Hills
                             3888 Workman Mill Road
                             Whittier, CA 90601

Directions to SkyRose Chapel:
www.rosehills.com/en-us/about-us/skyrose-chapel.page


In lieu of flowers, the family wishes a donation be made in Rina's honor to the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center where she received such warm care and treatment. You can donate online at www.uwhealth.org/donateuwccc or if you prefer to contribute by mail, send a check payable to UW Carbone Cancer Center to:

UW Carbone Cancer Center
Attn: Katie Williquette
600 Highland Ave., K4/658
Madison, WI 53792-6164

 *Please be sure to note that the donation is being made in honor of Rina Lee so the family can send personal thanks.


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November 1, 2016 - As many of you may already know...it is with a heavy heart to share that Rina passed away this morning around 7 AM.   After a rough night and rallying for a few hours, she peacefully went to be with her Abba.  She was able to say her sweet good byes to Joe, Mom, Sister - Gina (by phone), and Aunt.

A few of us feel fortunate to have had spent this past weekend with her.  Albeit a short trip, we spent most of Saturday chatting with her about girl stuff...being wives, being women, about friends, new jobs, marriage, etc.   She was in and out of the conversation as she took short naps but it was precious to be able to be there when she would wake up with her signature sweet smile.

She is terribly missed already and friends are flying in to Madison to be with Joe during these unspeakable times.  Funeral arrangements for Los Angeles are being made and we will keep you posted.

Please feel free to reach out to Joe via Facebook, texts, phone calls...but understandably he may not be able to respond right away.

Thank you for your continued support and we will keep this campaign open until the funeral.


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Fellow friends of Rina & Joe…

I volunteered over a month ago to start this GoFund campaign for Rina and Joe but every time I sat down to write about their fight against cancer, I was at a loss for words.  How can mere words capture their experience.  All of us are familiar with challenging times and even grief and loss but how can we say that we know what Rina and Joe are enduring.  

What we do know about Rina and Joe is that they are the most welcoming, compassionate, and considerate people. 

As their friends, we all want to help but don't know exactly how.  The last thing Joe and Rina probably want to do is burden their friends…and find it difficult to unload the weight of it all onto others…but you know they’ve always been about giving.   Giving of their talents, giving of their time, giving of their hearts… and always in abundance.

We have been given the precious opportunity to
return that love as Joe and Rina courageously journey this season.  











We are getting everyone together to raise funds for some of their immediate needs, comfort measures, and future financial burdens.  They are in urgent need of a hospice care nurse to come to their home to keep Rina as comfortable as possible, financial freedom for family members to come visit Rina and Joe, sustenance and respite for Joe and Rina’s mom as they tirelessly care for Rina all day, and other unforeseeable needs.





We have the power to pour into their lives and make a difference despite the circumstances.

We are chosen to pray as one voice for them during these unimaginable times. 
We are blessed to have the means to give to our beloved friends in whatever way we can.
We are given the opportunity to lift them up when they need it most.

For Joe and Rina.




Thank you in advance for your generous prayers and support. 


Update as of 10/20/2016:

Thank you everyone for all your support for Rina and Joe! We are blown away by the love and generosity from people near and far. I spoke to Joe this morning and he is overwhelmed by the outpouring of donations and kind words from you.

Though this is far more than Joe and Rina would ever ask for, we think there are still more blessings to come - especially now in light of finding out more home health care is likely, which is an out of pocket expense.

We want Joe and Rina to have the best care and comfort in this season without worrying about finances so we have decided to keep the campaign running.

More than providing financial support, this campaign has reconnected them with so many people wanting to bless them with words of encouragement, prayers and other gifts as well.   Even strangers have reached out!! They are overwhelmed by the love and in a season such as this...It is truly priceless.

Please continue to reach out and share your personal stories about them.   Not only is it encouraging for Joe and Rina, but as fellow heartbroken and helpless friends, it strengthens us to know that we can celebrate them together.

It's inspiring to know that when times get tough, we undoubtedly unite to lift up one another.   Would you please continue to share their story?   We want the heavens to downpour blessings upon Rina and Joe as they selflessly journey this season. ❤️

Thank you once again.