Dorothy "Dot" (Jukes) Lee

Dorothy Lillian (Jukes) Lee (97) was the third of five children born to Margaret (Thompson) Jukes and Harry Samuel Jukes, descendants of a pioneering family of Pinellas County. She was born September 9, 1922, in the Thompson-Jukes House on Tarpon Avenue, Tarpon Springs and left this life with her son and daughter at her side, on October 16, 2019 (her Father’s birthday), at St. Mark Village in Palm Harbor.

Dottie spent the summers of her early years playing among the citrus trees of her family groves in Sutherland (now Palm Harbor) and pitched in at “Jukes’ 5 and 10”, her parents’ store on Tarpon Avenue. She graduated from Tarpon Springs High School and shortly thereafter married another member of a pioneering family, Robert Lutz Lee, to whom she would remain married for 59 years, until his passing in July of 2001. Dot remained in Tarpon Springs while Bob served in the Navy during WWII. When Bob returned to Tarpon Springs, they raised their two children, Robert (“Bobby”) J. Lee and Margaret (“Sissy”) (Lee) Alexander, and ran a successful electrical contracting company (Lee Electric) until Bob retired in the late 1960’s. Shortly before their retirement from Lee Electric, Dot began working for Florida Power Corporation as a Secretary and Clerk, where she put in another 28 years of work.

In retirement, Dot enjoyed spending time on the water with Bob on their boat “Scamp”, entertaining with lifelong friends, travelling, and shopping. Her two passions, however, were gardening and playing Bridge. Inheriting a green thumb from a long line of grovesmen and groveswomen, Dot found her peace outside in any garden or yard that needed attention. Visitors and friends would often leave with a potted plant or something ready to be “rooted.” She was also the last remaining member of the “Original Eight” Bridge group that regularly convened for over 30 years.

Dot was a living example of the old adage: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” She went through life with strength, a positive outlook and always a kind word, even when life got tough. Even with vision impairment late in life, Dot was out and about, most recently gathering in celebration of her 97th birthday, with family and the children of some of her closest friends.

Awaiting Dot in eternal life were her parents, her husband, two sisters, Virginia (“Ginny”) (Jukes) Laite and Ellen (Jukes) McCabe. Left to mourn her passing are her two children, her son in law Charles N. Alexander, three grandchildren, Robyn (Lee) Crawford (Ed), Alice (Alexander) Mensitieri (Richard), and Joseph N. Alexander (Carrie), four great-grandchildren, Courtney Hall, Robert Crawford, Nicola Mensitieri, and Lily Mensitieiri, two brothers, Herbert Benjamin Jukes (Caroline) and Harry Thompson Jukes (Betty), many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of dear friends. The family is thankful for her long life and knowing that she has been re-united with family and friends.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Dot’s life on Saturday, October 26, 2019. Visitation will be from 10-11am, at the Chapel at Vinson Funeral Home, 456 E. Tarpon Avenue, Tarpon Springs, Florida, 34689, with a graveside service immediately to follow at Cycadia Cemetary, 1021 E. Tarpon Avenue, Tarpon Springs, Florida 34689.

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