Born in Hamden, Connecticut in 1931, and truly proud to be an Irish Connecticut Yankee, Lee was an accomplished woman, nurse, devoted wife and mother who led an inspiring and benevolent life. She was well respected and highly regarded as a woman of integrity and kindness, with a spectrum of talents, interests and abilities. Lee was warm, unassuming and easy to be with.

Leota graduated Knox School in Cooperstown, New York and Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts. Throughout her school years she was a multiple sport athlete, fluent in French and enjoyed learning, which held true all of her life, and made friends easily. At Knox she was Winter Carnival Queen, and captain of both her crew and basketball teams. In her early- mid adulthood she was an avid golfer, enjoyed tennis, skiing and playing bridge. Few knew that she was also a young glider and Piper Cub pilot.

From her earliest pursuits, to proudly serving her country during the 1960s as a Navy Lt RN, to financing her husband's college and medical degrees and early career, Lee was a strong, competent woman. It was while stationed at Balboa, San Diego, that she met and later married Anthony J. Horstman, then a Navy corp man. They were married for many years, electing the beauty of this region as home in the 1970s, where they both settled into their respective medical careers.

For many years Lee volunteered at the Y and was long involved founding parent to the original Boothbay YMCA Dolphin swim team. Lee was an active patriotic citizen, yet a quiet veteran, quietly charitable to others in need. "Back in the day" she volunteered at St. Andrews Hospital, the BCA and various community causes.

She thoroughly enjoyed living in Maine, but summer days in Boothbay were her favorite time. Lee found hours of pleasure while fishing, swimming and bird watching at her cherished lakeside cottage. She frequently engaged her binoculars or telescope, fascinated by celestial and aircraft movements. She loved being on or near waterfront and boating. Water and snow skiing were her sports of choice mid-life and she gladly taught many friends and relatives to do both.

As a lifelong and highly spirited ball fan, she cheered Navy, the Patriots and Red Sox at any opportunity. She had a lifelong passion for music, reading and the performing arts. Her quick smile and propensity to laughter marked her personality; she never met a roller coaster she didn't whole heartedly enjoy, as well as all productions of Peter Sellers and Carol Burnett and the like.

She was predeceased by her parents, former husband, Anthony J. Horstman, MD, and two sisters.

She is survived by her daughter and best friend, Kim Horstman. "Aunt Lee" also leaves behind many dear nephews (several as godsons) including Steven, Scott, Sean Grumman, Denny, Paul, Jeff, Rick Duryea; one niece and Goddaughter, Sharon G. Parrish and each of their respective spouses and the loving extensions of all of those families, as well as friends and neighbors, across the country.