Barbara Greenough Lee, 90
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 1 hour, 1 minute AGO
Lee
Barbara Greenough Lee, 90, of Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, passed away peacefully Sept. 29, 2026, at Kootenai Health.
Barbara was born Sept. 25, 1936, in Billings, Mont., to William and Dagne Greenough. She was the oldest of three children and grew up alongside her brother, Billy, and sister Carol on a ranch in Wyola, Mont., where she went to grade school and later High School in Lodge Grass, Mont. After graduating, she went to college at Colorado Women's College in Denver, Colo. She interned at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, Mont.
Barbara was the beloved wife of Bob Lee and loving mother of Mike Smith (deceased), Cheri Washburn, and Roxy O'Brien. She was a devoted stepmother to Michael Lee, Richard Lee, Carolyn Kraft and Jane Gamblin.
Barbara was an accomplished artist and member of the Coeur d' Alene Art Association. She specialized in portraits and western art. She also held several professional positions during her career, including laboratory technician at a hospital in Dillon, Mont., and managing editor of newspapers in Red Lodge and Dillon, Mont.
Barbara met Bob Lee in 1994, and they were married in 1996. Barbara and Bob shared many happy years together and enjoyed traveling throughout the western United States, Canada, and Mexico in their fifth wheel trailer. Barbara was also a longtime member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, where she formed many lasting friendships, especially with Father David Gortner, who helped her through many difficult times.
Barbara is survived by her daughters, Cheri [Larry] Washburn of Spokane Valley, Wash., and Roxy [Pat] O'Brien of Rathdrum, Idaho; her sister, Carol [Cecil] Peterson of Pleasant Grove, Utah; her brother, Billy [Francie] Greenough of Fromberg, Mont., and her stepchildren, Michael Lee of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Richard [Joyce] Lee of Albany, Ore., Carolyn [Kyle] Kraft of Snoqualmie, Wash., and Jane Gamblin of Boise, Idaho. Barbara is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Her creativity, warmth, adventurous spirit, and love for her family and friends will be deeply missed.
A memorial service will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 501 E. Wallace Ave., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, on Friday, Oct. 30, at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers and donations, please send your contributions to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 501 E. Wallace Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.