Andrea Lenore Lee

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Andrea Lenore Lee (Smith), who departed this life on Oct. 23rd at the age of 43. Andrea Lenore Lee, (Smith) was a cherished daughter, remembered for her kindness, generosity, and unwavering spirit.

Born on Sept. 24th in Boise, Andrea was the daughter of Terry and Karen Smith. She grew up in Eagle and Middleton Idaho, where she attended Eagle Elementary and then Middleton Jr. High and High School. Andrea loved music and joined the MHS band playing flute and piano. Her love of softball was fulfilled by her last pitch in the 12th inning that struck out the last batter on Bishop Kelly’s girls softball team to win the championship game. In addition to sports and music, Andrea was a member of the MHS Honor Society that recognizes academic achievements, but more importantly, encouraged its members to participate in community charity events. MHS honor society raised funds for Christmas giving to those in need. Andrea’s participation in the visits to local homes had a profound impact on her perception of charity and the true meaning of humility.

Andrea went on to pursue a career in the US Navy. She joined the Navy’s delayed entry program at the age of 17 and celebrated her 18th birthday at Naval RTC Great Lakes, IL. Her first deployment to Guam and service on the supply ship USS Concord was baptism by fire because the Concord was resupplying the US carriers conducting air operations in the middle east. Pay checks from the local Middleton drive in “Bob Burger Den” were replaced with paychecks from the US Navy with a stipend for combat pay!

Her passion for detail and demand for “by the book” performance, predicated her 20 years of service in the US Navy, aboard the USS Lincoln, USS Truman and her favorite duty on the USS Nimitz as a Senior Chief, Information Systems Technician focused on cybersecurity for the networks aboard the carriers.

Those who knew Andrea will remember her for an unwavering black and white attitude about right and wrong, by the book compliance and attention to detail. Many of her sailors have gone on to become chiefs and senior chiefs in the Navy. On the compassionate side Andrea was a giving person willing to give a hand up to those in need. She loved animals and supported local humane society’s efforts to take care of and rehome pets.

Andrea was a loving wife, mother and daughter who lived a full life for her 43 years. She was a global traveler while still in her teens, flying from the US to Norita and then on to Singapore to meet her ship, Concord. Her service on the Concord included support of combat operations in the middle east, liberty calls in Singapore, a ceremonial initiation into the “Shell Backs” Crossing the Line (equator) in route to Australia for liberty call in Perth.

US duty stations of Bremerton, Everett, with deployments to Asia, visiting Hawaii, Guam, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and a rescue mission to Malaysa after a devastating tsunami devastated the islands. East coast duty station Norfolk involved deployments to north Atlantic locations and the Mediterranean with visits to Greece, Crete, France, and multiple visits to Bahrain. Her final trip for the Navy was to Norway and a for a joint military exercise. A true world traveler. She fulfilled the Navy’s recruiting slogan “Join The Navy And See The World”

After retiring from the Navy, Andrea returned to Cheyene Wyoming and later moved to Meridian. Andrea met Jake in Jan 2022, and they were married in Dec. 2023 at the Tamarack Resort Chapel. Andrea had always wanted a White Snowy wedding, and she got her wish, there was light snow that day. During her three-year battle with cancer, she would say that she wanted to go back to that special day.

Andrea Lenore Lee (Smith) survived by her husband Jacob Lee and his daughters Elena Lee and Gabriella Lee, her daughter Kathryn Gregg and step daughter Michela Gregg, father Terry Smith, mother Karen Smith, her brother Aaron Smith and his fiancé Tamara Beck and former wife Ginny Smith their children, Wyatt Smith, and Addison Smith, Aunt Sherry Jensen, Uncles Stan Smith and Robert Smith, Honorary Uncles, Bruce Bente, Clint Utter and Randy Wilkins.

Andrea’s lifelong friend and conveyor of bad influence and supporter of Andrea’s poor judgements associated with growing up, Julie (Julio) Loftus, from Eagle.

She was preceded in death by grandparents, Allen Jensen, Rhea Jensen (Nelson), Charles Smith, Lenore Smith (Banks), Uncle David Jensen who also succumbed to Glioblastoma in Oct. of 2024,

A memorial service will be held on Nov 13th at 11:00 AM at Veterans Cemetery, Boise, ID where friends and family are invited to gather and celebrate Andrea Lenore Lee (Smith's) extraordinary life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your local Humane Society, honoring her lifelong commitment to helping homeless, lost or disadvantaged pets in our community.

Andrea Lenore Lee (Smith) will forever remain in our hearts. May she rest in eternal peace.

From Andrea to all of us…” How You Doin!” …