Iris Chan Lee Robinson

1920-2015

Iris Chan Lee Robinson was born in Calcutta, India to Joseph and Irene Chan. She was educated in New Delhi, Shimla and Lahore. She earned her Medical Doctor degree at Lady Harding University in New Delhi. She married Lyon Michael Lee in 1948 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in New Delhi. Dr. Lee delivered many babies as a young physician in India, before the young couple moved to China. As a physician, Iris had the rank of Major in the Chinese Navy. Her medical career also spanned Hong Kong and Okinawa, Japan.

In Okinawa, she practiced medicine for over 30 years, including at the Kadena Air Base Clinic, US Army Hospital, and her two private practices at Awase Meadows Clinic and Ojana Eye Clinic. At the Ojana Eye Clinic, Iris performed minor eye surgery. In the local schools, she gave eye exams to Okinawan children. She also went aboard US Navy ships to administer immunizations to all the sailors. Iris was a highly respected physician.

In 1965 at the age of 44 Iris became a widow. She raised her 4 children as a single parent.

Iris retired in 1983 and moved to Kitsap County, Washington with her 2nd husband Charles, basset hound Clementine, and airedale Blanche. At that time she became an avid gardener, bird watcher, Seattle Mariners baseball fan, artist, and gourmet chef. She lived in the “piney woods”, amongst her rhodies, wisterias, and airedale Queenie.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lyon Michael Lee, her sister Ruby Cheung, and brother Richard Chan.

She is survived by her 2nd husband Charles Robinson, beloved children Christine, Jennifer, Alexander, and Randal, son-in-law Raymond, daughters-in-law Ester and Brenda, grandchildren Jeffrey, Stephanie, Jennifer, and Samantha, great-grandchildren James, Chloe, Charlotte, and Oliver, sisters Violet, Mary, and Shirley, brothers Joseph and David, and many nephews, nieces, grand-nephews, and grand-nieces.

Her family is very grateful for the loving care provided by her devoted caregivers both at home and at Martha and Mary, Poulsbo during the last years of her life.