Kathleen Derrig Lee

PORTLAND – Kathleen “Kathy” Derrig Lee, 79, passed away peacefully on Jan. 19, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Born on Nov. 21, 1946, to Mary Toppi and Martin Derrig, Kathy grew up on Greenleaf Street in a tight-knit neighborhood surrounded by family and lifelong friends. She was deeply proud of her Italian and Irish heritage and loved nothing more than telling stories about her beloved Toppi and Derrig grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and the characters who filled her childhood.

A self-proclaimed “good girl,” Kathy attended Cathedral Grammar School and Cathedral High School, graduating with the class of 1965. After high school, she worked as a typist at Maine Bonding Company before leaving the workforce to raise her children.

On Nov. 13, 1971, she married Robby Lee, and together they raised three children on her beloved Munjoy Hill. Kathy was well known to many on the Hill and maintained those connections and friendships throughout her life.

Despite not drinking and being a terrible cook, Kathy loved a social gathering. She hosted crowds every Fourth of July and Christmas Eve, firmly convinced there was no better seat in the house for July Fourth festivities on the Hill than her front steps on Congress Street. No one ever succeeded in changing her mind.

Always a fashionista, Kathy delighted in her part-time jobs in retail, and at Reiche Elementary School. A true people person, she loved a good laugh and would give anyone in need the money she didn’t have. She adored the beach and could often be found on summer days at East End Beach or Willard Beach, soaking up the sun. Her other favorite pastimes were shopping and talking on the phone. Kathy treasured her many friendships and was widely known as a trusted keeper of secrets. In her prime, she could spend hours on the phone with girlfriends and cousins, cigarette in hand, Diet Pepsi nearby, and twirling her hair while discussing the events of people’s lives.

Kathy loved children. She found immense joy in caring for many children throughout her life, but especially her grandchildren. She delighted in teaching naughty words to all the children she cared for, taking them shopping, and spoiling them with gifts at every opportunity.

Even through the challenges of memory loss, Kathy never lost her sense of humor or her deep concern for others.

She was predeceased by her parents and her brother-in-law, Richard “Mouse” Lee.

She is survived by her children, Ericka (Dan), Christopher, and Kevin (Christina); her grandchildren, Liam and Erin Winship, and Declan and Cameron Lee; her brothers, Michael (Robyn) Derrig and Kevin Derrig; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John “Slim” and Cheryl Lee; and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends.

The family extends a special thank you to the compassionate staff at Fallbrook Commons for their exceptional care and kindness during Kathy’s final stages of life.

A Celebration of Kathy’s Life will be at the new Conroy-Tully Walker Cremation, Funeral, and Gathering Center, 300 Allen Avenue, Portland on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, at 5 p.m., followed by a reception at the funeral home. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited.

To view Kathy’s Memorial Page or to share an online condolence, please visit http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kathy’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association.