Barbara Lee

Barbara Lee, affectionately known as Jeanie, was born on January 25, 1944, in Richmond, Jamaica, a market town nestled in Saint Mary parish. She passed away in Tamarac, Florida, on November 5, 2025, after bravely enduring a prolonged illness.

Barbara was a beacon of warmth and light, her laughter resonating through the hearts of all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Her journey as a nurse began early, fueled by a passion for helping others that led her from Camperdown High School to the hallowed halls of Victoria Jubilee Hospital and Kingston Public Hospital, where she earned her midwifery certificate and Registered Nursing degree. In 1968, she immigrated to the United States, dedicating herself to furthering her education and proudly receiving her bachelor’s degree in health science and a master’s degree in Community Health Administration from Jersey City University and Hofstra University, respectively.

Barbara’s distinguished career as a Registered Nurse and Clinical Coordinator spanned multiple hospitals in New York City and across Southern and Western Florida. Her expertise encompassed many fields, from the operating room to the post-anesthesia care unit, and she was a compassionate presence in Labor and Delivery, ICU, dialysis units, and infection control. A true healer at heart, her nurturing spirit touched countless lives.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Jeanie cherished the moments spent with her family, particularly during holiday gatherings, when the aromas of her Caribbean dishes filled the air. With an intuitive touch, she expertly created meals that not only nourished the body but also warmed the soul. The kitchen became her sanctuary, a place where love and food intertwined, leaving indelible memories that her loved ones will carry forward.

Jeanie's vivacious personality enveloped her family and friends in a sense of ease; her home was an open invitation, always welcoming, always ready to share a story or a hearty laugh. She had an infectious sense of humor and a profound love for music and dancing, bringing joy and lightness into every moment.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Cuthbert (Tony) Browne; her cherished son, Dr. Craig Fletcher, and his wife, Dr. Jamila Fletcher; her beloved daughter, Natalie (Fletcher) DaCosta, and her son-in-law, Kenroy DaCosta. She also leaves behind her sisters, Monica (Blackwood) Andrean and Shelly (Blackwood) Brown; brothers-in-law, Horatio (Joseph) Andrean and Judiel Brown; nieces Georgia and Monique Blackwood and Jody (Andrean) Rose, JayAnne and Amelia Brown; nephews Jason Andrean, Tristan Blackwood, and Jamin Brown; grandchildren Daijah, Ariah, Joshua, Ezra Fletcher, and Kendru DaCosta; great-grandchildren Giannis and Taliyah Thomas. The love she cultivated within her family will continue to bloom in her absence.

Jeanie joins her beloved mother, Daisy May (Huffstead) Levy; father, Cecil Asidor Blackwood; brother, Calton (Peter) Blackwood; and former husband, Linton Duke Fletcher, in eternal rest. Her legacy lies not just in her professional achievements but in the profound love and connections she nurtured throughout her life.

Visitation will be held on November 20, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at T. M. Ralph Plantation Funeral Home in Plantation, Florida, followed by a burial service on November 21, 2025, at 10:00 AM at South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, Florida.

Barbara "Jeanie" Lee is forever remembered not only for her expert hands and warm heart but also for the impact she had on the lives of those around her. Through her love, she fostered a family bound not only by blood but by the shared laughter and treasured memories that will endure the test of time.