Longtime CURF Secretary/Treasurer Peggy Lee Passes Away

Story by Visitor Staff

Peggy Louise Stevens Lee, who served as secretary/treasurer of the Columbia Union Revolving Fund (CURF) for 35 years, and retired in 2015, has passed away. She was 96. 

“Peggy Lee will always be remembered to me as the dynamic, kindhearted woman who propelled the growth of CURF,” says H. Candace Nurse, current secretary/treasurer of CURF. “Her vision for CURF [was] to be the best and service our union as we strive to build the kingdom of God is our daily goal. Peggy Lee will be missed not only by the CURF team but by every noteholder and borrower that has been blessed to work with her.” 

During her time at CURF, Lee helped grow the fund from $3 million to $168 million (as of Dec. 31, 2014). Lee also guided the fund through a complex registration process in 1993, and helped plan the first division-wide meeting of revolving fund personnel in 2006. 

Lee started her career with the Columbia Union in 1949 as a secretary in the Education Department. She left in 1952, but returned in 1980 as secretary to Don Russell, then-union treasurer. Russell also put her in charge of CURF. Lee became treasurer and assistant secretary in 1992, and secretary/treasurer in January 1997. In 1993, she led the effort to have the fund registered as a security. Administrators say she accomplished spectacular growth through her management ability. 

“Peggy Lee’s name is synonymous with CURF throughout the Columbia Union. She was ‘Ms. CURF.’ She was friendly, kind, compassionate, competent and patient in working with churches, schools and members in securing financial security through CURF,” says Marcellus T. Robinson, union president. “Her kindness and willingness to assist individuals to complete the process of securing financial security through CURF will always be a legacy in the Columbia Union.” 

Remembrances and memories of Lee have poured in on social media. Among others, Valerie Hamel Morikone, a retired Mountain View Conference employee, shared, “Our family has used the CURF phone number and talked to Peggy Lee. Always a huge help to us.” 

Lee will be remembered for more than how she led CURF, but the impact on the people with whom she worked. 

Hamlet Canosa, former union vice president for Education who worked with Lee for many years, notes that she provided “wisdom, common sense, dedication and energy” to the important ministry of CURF.  “As a person, she was sweet, kind, thoughtful, caring and one whom ... I was privileged to have as a friend,” he adds.  

Kelly Butler Coe, union vice president for Communication who worked with Lee for more than a decade, remembers Lee dropping by her co-workers’ offices and delivering vases of flowers from her garden—gardening being one of her favorite hobbies. “My favorite was an icy pink peony,” says Coe. “I will always remember her kindness and the sweet tone of her voice. She will remain in my heart as a dear friend.” 

In addition to her work at the union, Lee served for 21 years as the treasurer at Potomac Conference’s Hyattsville (Md.) church, where she also volunteered with the Kindergarten Department for 35 years. 

Lee and her daughter Peggy Jean Lee were cruise enthusiasts—taking several cruises each year for many years—earning Peggy Lee the nickname “Queen of Cruises” to friends and cruise staff who grew to know her well.  

Lee leaves behind two daughters, Penny Perry and Peggy Jean Lee; grandchildren Christy (Greg) Tise and Mikey (Lauren) Perry; and great-grandchildren Isla Tise and Everett and Owen Perry. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made out to the Worthy Student Aid/Fund at Chesapeake Conference’s Linthicum (Md.) church (https://adventistgiving.org/donate/ANB8EG) to honor Lee's deep appreciation for and love of Christian education. 

The graveside service will take place Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Fort Lincoln Funeral Home And Cemetery, 3401 Bladensburg Road, Brentwood, Md., 20722.