Obituary of Lee M. Lenski (Lena M. Winans)

Lena M. Winans (Lee Lenski), 85, of East Durham and formerly of Preston Hollow, passed away on Thursday October 12, 2017. Lee was the daughter of the late Gerald and Edith (Cleveland) Newcomb. She was born in Ashland on December 16, 1931 and grew up in Conesville with her ten siblings, having attended Gilboa Central School and the Pilgrim Holiness Church in Grand Gorge. She married Allen Winans and they lived on the family farm in Potter Hollow until buying their home in Preston Hollow, where they raised their family of seven children. Lee worked at Audio Sears and American Thermostat in her younger days before deciding to become a full time mother. She and Allen enjoyed Pinochle and gardening, and Lee was a member of the Preston Hollow Baptist Church. After Allen's untimely death, Lee was forced to return to the working field and took a job fostering elderly patients for CDPC. She became married a second time to William Lenski and the couple ran the Blue Lantern Bed and Breakfast until retirement. Lee taught herself how to play the accordion and organ, and was the organist for many years at the Potter Hollow Union Church and at the Cornerstone Baptist Church in East Durham. In her later days, Lee loved to feed and watch the birds. She had a special attraction to doves, as she said they were a symbol of peace and God's saving grace. In addition to her parents, Lee is predeceased by both husbands and four siblings.

Lee is survived by her children, Lorraine (Martin) Lloyd, Loretta (Edward) Skinner, David (Karen) Winans, Blayne (Karen) Winans, Wayne (Laura) Winans, Dawn (Robert) Haller, and Tammy (James) Wood; 16 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and six siblings.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday October 15, at 1pm at the Potter Hollow Cemetery, 32 County Route 362, Potter Hollow. All are invited to attend. Condolences can be posted at ajcunninghamfh.com.