Lee Mitchell Kaplan

Lee “Labe” Mitchell Kaplan, born March 18, 1952, died on November 19, 2023. He was diagnosed with glioblastoma in March of 2023. Lee underwent surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. During an admission for seizures, he developed an infected peripheral intravenous catheter resulting in sepsis while in the hospital. This led to a cascade of other hospital acquired infections and subsequent complications. The brain cancer was responding to treatment.

Lee was born and raised in Laverock, PA. He graduated from Cheltenham High School in 1970. Lee loved musical theater and one of his fondest memories from high school was playing King Arthur in Camelot. Lee remembered all of the lines from the play and the lyrics to all of the songs. He spent one year at Dickinson College and then transferred to the University of Pennsylvania to complete his undergraduate studies. He then went on to law school at George Washington University. After graduation, he began a long career at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.

He developed a liposarcoma in his right leg in 1985 ultimately requiring an amputation and chemotherapy. He didn’t let that get him down and got around using forearm crutches. 

Lee met Lori Jardines, M.D. in 1994. Dr. Jardines recognized immediately the wonderful qualities that Lee possessed including his warm smile, his intellect and his compassion for others.  She knew immediately that he was the “one”. They enjoyed going to the symphony, ballet and the theatre before having children. Lee and Lori married on December 16, 1995 . They went to London for their honeymoon and on the flight to London he asked Lori if she wanted to know the names of the Kings of England in order. She said yes and he went on to tell her. That became a running joke between them for the remainder of their marriage. They went to the theatre almost every day during that trip. Lee and Lori lived in West Mt. Airy, and Lee became quite good at weeding. After retiring, Lee enjoyed spending his days improving the appearance of their front yard  pulling out weeds. He sometimes mistakenly pulled out flowers as well. He also spent many afternoons enjoying the views from their front porch. Lee was an avid reader and would often read five or six books at a time. He also enjoyed reading political blogs.

He is survived by his wife, sons Andrew “Drew” and Thomas “Thommie”, brothers Gary (Elise), Richard (Randi) and Stuart (Laura) as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Abraham and Grace Kaplan.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Lee’s memory to the charity of your choice. He was a long time supporter of the ACLU and environmental organizations, including Friends of the Wissahickon and Save the Children.

Services will be held at Joseph Levine & Sons, 4737 E Street Rd, Feasterville-Trevose, PA  on Sunday, November 26th, 10 AM. The service will be webcast. Interment at  Roosevelt Memorial Park. Shiva will be at Lee and Lori’s home immediately following the interment.