Visit from Aussie "Rellies"

This past week my husband and I had a wonderful four day vacation with one of my Aussie second cousins on the Lee side of the family.  We had met my cousin and his wife when we were in Australia three years ago.  Years ago, one of the Australian's on the Lee side had been searching for my brother and I for many years.  She knew that our grandfather, who was killed in WWI, had a wife and son who immigrated to America. We were the only branch of the Lee's of which there was little known in Australia.   After much searching, she found us and started communication.  Over the years she passed away and her family history information fell into the hands of Alan.  He then reached me and we started communication concerning family history and getting acquainted via e-mail.  My husband and I had the privilege of meeting and staying with Alan and his wife Carol when we visited Australia.  Now they have paid us a visit for which I am very thankful.  We are working together to pull this history together.  I know that my father, Maurice and grandfather, Henry must have been thrilled at this opportunity Alan and I had to be together.  We're all "Rellies."

Alan and Carol with their American Family.

Margaret and my second cousin Alan at the grave of my father, Maurice.  

Carol and Alan at Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park.

Ray and Margaret with Carol and Alan in Yellowstone. 

Death of Maurice Lee-Thomas

Maurice left this life in Los Angeles, California on 8 June 1983.    He had been attending the Los Angeles Temple with his wife Florence.  They had finished their work at the temple and were packing their bags to return to their home in Visalia, California.  Maurice was putting bags in the car, when he collapsed and never recovered.  He was taken to UCLA Medical Center where he died. The cause of death was a heart attack.   Florence was watching him from their motel window and witnessed his collapse.  Florence reported that most deaths in Los Angeles were considered homiscides until proved otherwise.  He took some time and frustration to get his body released from UCLA. 

He had two funerals.  The first was in Visalia, California where he was residing at the time of his death.  The second funeral was held in Ogden, Utah where he had spent most of his life since immigrating to America and where he and Florence had purchase burial plots in the Ogden City Cemetery.  The link below will take you to his Obituary, funeral programs, and death certifciate.  The second link is a picture of the cemetery where he is buried along the side of his wife, Florence Christensen.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10071252/Lee-Thomas%2C%20Maurice%20-%20Death%20Information.pdf
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10071252/Ogden%20City%20Cemetery%20Graves.JPG