University News

Remembering Devoted University Friend Margaret Lee


Margaret Soong Meow Lee, the wife of University of New Haven professor and renowned forensic scientist Dr. Henry C. Lee, died on August 1 after a brief illness.

August 02, 2017


Margaret Lee's headshot

Born and raised in Sarawak, Malaysia, Mrs. Lee earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Taiwan Normal University and a master’s degree in education from Long Island University. She received a postgraduate certificate in bilingual and multilingual education from Seton Hall University. 

After completing her bachelor’s degree, Mrs. Lee served as the Commissioner of Women’s Affairs and as an assistant high school principal in her hometown. Upon finishing her master’s degree, she taught in the New York City public school system for nearly a decade. She then worked for 20 years as a computer programming analyst at the Veterans Hospital in West Haven, Conn.  

The mother of two grown children, Mrs. Lee was presented with a "Mother of the Year" award by the Chinese American Parent-Student Council of New York City while teaching in the city school system. 

Mrs. Lee was a devoted ambassador for the University of New Haven and the . She has long served as an ally for the University’s international students. In honor of her passion and her commitment, Mrs. Lee was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the University in 2012. 

The Margaret Lee Scholarship Fund has been established to honor Mrs. Lee’s memory. Those wishing to make a donation to the fund can .