After three years of courageously battling an uncommon form of dementia, Lee Caruso, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 03, 2009.
Lee Ann Maguire was born on February 21, 1933, in Butte, Montana, where she attended St. Joseph’s Grade School and completed her freshman year at Butte High School. When her family moved to Reno, Lee entered Reno High School, became a drum majorette, and graduated with the Class of 1951.
In 1950, while working at the Virginia Street Dairy Queen in Reno, Lee met a handsome, robust athlete who had come from Pennsylvania to play football for the powerhouse team at the University of Nevada. From the moment she met Carmel Caruso, there was never a doubt in her mind that he would be the man with whom she would share the rest of her life…as a wife, a mother and a friend. Lee married Carmel in October of 1951…her brothers, Tom and Jim, served as altar boys at their wedding.
She became a Medical Assistant to Dr. R.F. Biglin, MD., and continued her interest in the medical field as an EKG, EEG technician, from 1953-1959.
Lee and Carmel welcomed their son, Daniel Raymond, into the world in 1959 and their daughter, Michelle Ann in 1962. As their children grew, Lee became a Den Mother to the Cub Scouts, and a Campfire Girl Scout Leader. She served on the Board of Directors of Hidden Valley Homeowner’s Association and became an active member of the Juvenile Diabetes Association.
During the 1970’s, Lee became a Broker Associate licensee with the Reno Association of Realtors, enjoying her work and the many associations she created with clients and colleagues. She became a Realtor/Broker and was a member of the Professional Standards, the Board of Directors of the Reno Association of Realtors, and the Million Dollar Club. She was a recipient of the Top Producer Club Award, a graduate of Realtors Institute and received her Board of Realtors G.R.I. Certification. Lee retired from real estate in 2000.
Lee’s love of her high school and her service to that school was seen in her role as Reno High School Alumni Association Trustee/Counsel.
Lee took great pride in her Irish heritage, collecting many breathtaking pieces of Irish crystal and Belleek porcelain. She often gave friends and loved ones a gift of the claddagh, symbolizing love, friendship and loyalty. Lee learned the art of preparing perfect Irish dishes, including the Irish Pasty…which brought much pleasure to her family and friends. When her children became older, she and Carmel took them to Ireland, where they discovered the roots of the Maguire family, both on her mother and her father’s side.
Family mattered most to Lee…spending time together, celebrating the moments of life and recalling precious memories from the past. She swelled with pride when speaking of her son, Dr. Dan Caruso’s work in the field of diabetes. She and her daughter, Michelle, traveled the world together, sharing many unforgettable, irreplaceable moments. Lee took great pleasure in her two brothers, Tom and Jim, always enjoying her role as “Big Sister.” Her grand daughter, Ariana, brought Lee much joy, and she cherished every moment she spent with her. Lee’s faith and her devotion to her church kept her strong and grounded in her life’s journey.
Lee was preceded in death by her husband, Carmel Caruso and her parents, Raymond and Ann Maguire. She is survived by her children, Dr. Daniel Caruso (Toni), and Michelle Caruso; her grand daughter, Ariana Caruso, her brothers, Tom Maguire, Jim Maguire (Joan), her nephews Gary and Steve Maguire, her niece, Jennifer Maguire Grogan (Jim), and her great nephew and great niece, Cade and Avery Grogan.
The family is indebted to and would like to thank Dr. Kim Bigley, Dr. Debra Fredricks, Dr. Grant Anderson, Toby Morris APN, Dr. Lindell Bradley, VistaCare Hospice, Arbors in Sparks and Life Care Center…all of whom were instrumental in Lee’s care. A special thank you to Msgr. Leo McFadden, who has supported our family and helped alleviate our worries and sorrow with his compassion, his prayers and his devotion to Christ.
A private burial will take place, with a Memorial Celebration of Life to be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that any donations be made to Camp Buck Youth Camp for children with diabetes at:
NDACA
1005 Terminal Way, Suite 170
Reno, NV. 89502
Phone: 775-856-3839
We invite you to share memories, thoughts and condolences in the family guestbook at www.waltonsfuneralhome.com
