Margaret Catherine Burns Lee

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Margaret Catherine Burns Lee at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at St. Peter Catholic Church with Father Tomasz Golab officiating. Mrs. Lee, age 82, entered into the eternal rest of her Lord Saturday evening, January 17, 2026, in Bassfield. Saulters Moore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Entombment will be held at 12 Noon on Friday, January 23, 2026, St. Bernard Memorial Gardens, 701, W. Virtue Street, Chalmette, LA.

The family will receive friends on Thursday afternoon, January 22, from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm, with the Rosary Prayer Service beginning at 3:30 pm at the St. Peter Parish Hall.

Sean Burns, John Burns, Steve Gordon, Dan Gordon, Scotty Burns, and Justin Burns will honor Mrs. Lee by serving as pallbearers.

Margaret Catherine Burns Lee was born on November 1, 1943, in Jefferson Davis County, to Leo and Ambrosia O’Connell Burns. A graduate of Bassfield High School, Margaret enrolled in Jones Jr. College and later, the University of Southern Mississippi, where she earned a degree in Business Education. Immediately following her graduation, she relocated to New Orleans, LA, to work for New York Life Insurance Company. It was here that she met and married the love of her life, Lee, in August of 1970. Their union brought joy and happiness, and together they created a beautiful life, moving to Chalmette in 1972, where they raised their family with love and devotion. In her later years, after facing the challenges brought about by Hurricane Katrina, Margaret relocated to Ponchatoula, Louisiana, where she continued to enrich the lives of those around her. A devoted member of St. Peter Catholic Church, she found great solace and strength in her faith.

Margaret was known for her generous spirit; she possessed a servant's heart, always thinking of others before herself. Her friends played a significant role in her life, and she treasured the bonds she maintained with many of her classmates from high school and college. The warmth of her relationships was a testament to her character.

She will be remembered as an excellent cook whose love language was centered around her kitchen. Her family holds cherished memories of her baked macaroni and cheese, the delicious fried chicken prepared in her mother’s cast-iron skillet, and the anticipation of her Spaghetti and Meatballs, which were favored by her grandchildren. During the holidays, her brothers always looked forward to indulging in her fudge, pralines, and the beloved Japanese Fruit Cake.

In addition to her parents, Margaret is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leon Edward Lee, Jr.; her infant granddaughter, Ashley Shanon Lee; her brothers, Neil Burns, Roderick Burns (Troy), Vincent Burns (Judy), James Burns, Kevin Burns; her brother-in-law, John Southworth, and her sister-in-law, Shirley Mercante (I.D.).

Her memory will forever be cherished by her daughters, Erin Lee Dyess (Rod), Erika Lee Daley (Wesley), both of Bassfield; her son, Eddie Lee (Amy) of League City, TX; her sister, Patricia Gordon (Charles) of Brandon; and her sisters-in-law, Peggy Southworth, Karen Burns, and Janice Burns. The legacy of their Mawmaw will also live on through her grandchildren, Haley Haire, Davis Lee, Conner Dyess, Stephen Lee, Anna Lee, Jacey Daley, Ella Kate Daley, Tilman Lee, and her great-granddaughter, Mary Haire.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com.