Marjorie Lee

Marjorie C. Tarango Lee passed away on June 19, 2026, after a brief illness. She was 94.
Born in Ault, Colorado to Mexican parents who immigrated to the United States around 1911 to escape the Mexican Civil War, Marjorie moved to Sacramento shortly after her birth. The youngest of nine children, she attended William Land School, McClatchy High School, and Sacramento City College.
Marjorie spent many years as a secretary at California State University, Sacramento. She began her career in the Criminal Justice Department, later served for many years in the History Department, and concluded her career in the Philosophy Department before retiring in 1995.
It was at Sacramento State that she met her husband, Rees. A fraternity member had asked Marjorie to type a flyer for him and, as a thank you, promised she would be invited to the fraternity dance. Rees was sent to pick her up. Marjorie liked to joke that she wasn’t immediately impressed when a chubby young man appeared at her door—but Rees was warm and funny, and she had such a wonderful time that she agreed to a second date. The rest, as they say, is history.
Marjorie and Rees shared a loving marriage for 61 years, until his passing in 2020. Together they raised three children in Carmichael (Chip, David, and Annie), where Marjorie was a devoted mother who never missed a school event, game, or performance. Her children grew up surrounded by her steady love, encouragement, and presence.
She was an enthusiastic sports fan, cheering for the Oakland A’s, San Francisco 49ers, Sacramento Kings, and professional golf. Marjorie and Rees were longtime parishioners of Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, and after retiring she spent more than 20 years volunteering at the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Food Locker.
Marjorie is survived by her children and their spouses, six grandchildren, and her older sister, Susan Tarango Pibbs.