Lee Ann O'Donnell

Lee Ann O'Donnell, née Sonnenberg, was born December 22, 1950 in Sterling, Colorado, the third child of Robert Eugene "Sonny" Sonnenberg and Joan Newman " Jodi" Sonnenberg.

Lee Always delighted in having a birthday with such close proximity to Jesus. Lee remembered her childhood to include many adventures with her brother and two sisters, traveling on the train with her Grandparents, riding bikes around the neighborhood with her best friend, and acting out the nativity play with her many cousins. 

She graduated from Fairview High  School in 1969 rich with friends, memories of a few wild adventures and and on-and-off boyfriend from rival Boulder High School named Bill O'Donnell. Lee attended classes at Western State College of Colorado and Yakima Valley College in Washington, eventually marrying her high school sweet heart in 1975. 

Bill and Lee began creating the life of which they dreamt, one nail at a time, eventually building their beloved home north of Boulder surrounded by open space. Lee Found her true passion in parenting her two children, Sam and Caitlin. She stayed at home while her children were small and became actively involved in their elementary, middle, and high schools. Lee was the Girl Scout troop leader , soccer coach, classroom volunteer, baseball team manager, camp chaperone and she supported every activity her kids took on.  She loved contributing and supporting her children and their friends in ways that offered no compensation and little recognition. Lee was a selfless mother, always putting her kids first. Lee's Caregiving skills also shone in her patient and attentive nursing of both her and Bill's parents in their final years of life, attending to them each as they fought their own battles and transitions from this life. 

Lee loved cooking meals for family and friends, hosting parties at her home, and celebrating those around her. Later in life, Lee became active in a book club, served as president of the Boulder Republican Women, and enjoyed regular games with her Mah Jongg club. Lee's pets were always central to her life, enjoying twice daily walks up and down her country road during which she would chat with many neighbors and friends, keeping everyone up to date with the local news and the "queen" of the neighborhood. She also dabbled in canning, painting, and gardening. Lee delighted in the arrival of her five grandchildren and she greatly valued the opportunity to connect with them through their interests and activities. 

In late 2022 Lee noticed the the grip of her hands was not as strong or agile as it had been and she could no longer raise her arm above her shoulder. With no diagnosis for several years, she eventually succumbed to a rare variant of ALS. Losing the ability to physically support her family and engage fully with the activities she loved was exceedingly frustrating as the matriarch caregiver. 

Lee O'Donnell left behind her physical body on February 2, 2025 at home with her daughter, son , and husband by her side. She is survived by her husband Bill, son Sam ( Molly ), her daughter Caitlin, her grandchildren Miriam, Liam, Louise, Mabel, and Ruby, her brother Bob (Nancy), sisters Lynn and Kim, sister-in-law Patty, brother-in-law Chris (Kathy) and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Her warmth and love along with her bright and sociable spark will live on through those who knew and loved her. 

The family will be celebrating her life in the only way anyone could imagine her wanting, with a party at her family home on June 7 2025.