Lee Dodd Minick was born on September 14, 1927 in Charleston, West Virginia. On June 13, 1953 she was married to John Darrul Minick Sr., who preceded her in death in 1987. After raising three children she returned to college and received an Associate of Arts degree in accounting. She worked as an administrative assistant for the Prince Georges County Government until her retirement in 1989. Lee was an avid reader and active in local politics. Most recently she was involved in researching and writing for several websites under the name "American Lassie" Lee is survived by two daughters, Karen Watson and Anne Hoffman, and her son John D. Minick Jr.,as well as six grandchildren, Mary, Leigh, and Brian Watson, Joseph and Stephen Hoffman, and Jennifer Miller(Hoffman),two great-granddaughters, Alexandra and Abigail Hoffman, and one great-grandson, Jensen Miller.