Anja Lee

Our beloved Anja Lee, 55, passed away just after midnight, December 2, 2024. She had courageously navigated a breast cancer diagnosis since early 2022. She would often say it was a dance for which she would take the lead. But with her mother at her side, her body decided it was time to rest.

Anja was a woman of the world. She was born in Montreal, Canada, but she lived in Connecticut, New York (Long Island and Washington Heights), England (London and Manchester), Ohio, California and Georgia, and she visited family and friends in the Netherlands frequently. Her most recent home was in Decatur, GA where she lived with her husband and around the corner from her sister.

Anja is survived by her husband, Christopher R. Whittington; her mother, Elisabeth H. Korstanje-Lee; her father, Ackland G. Lee; her sister, Robin Lee; and her brother-in-law, Kevin Delaney. Also, her niece, Payton M. Delaney; her nephew Aiden G. Delaney; and her many aunts, uncles and cousins from the Netherlands and the United States.

Anja loved to travel so it was fitting that she worked for KLM and several other airlines and travel agencies before attending the Cleveland Institute of Music where she discovered her passion for acting and the theater. Thereafter she earned her B.A. from Kent State University with an internship at the Actors Theater of Louisville.

Anja was a gifted actor who graced many stages and theaters around the country including: the North Carolina Black Repertory, Atlanta Shakespeare Company, Cleveland Playhouse Company, The Billie Holiday Theater, and New Jersey Repertory Theater. She played Cordelia with Tony Award winning Trezana Beverley as King Lear, TWAS at the National Black Theater, New York, NY. Her screen credits include All My Children, As The World Turns, One Life To Live and a recurring guest Co host on QVC. She also wrote an autobiographical one woman play, titled "Mixed Up", that was featured at the National Black Theatre Festival.

In addition to acting, Anja traveled the country with auto show, representing several automotive companies including Hyundai, Volkswagen and others. Anja was also a corporate trainer and coach, focusing on communication skills, personal growth and diversity, equity and inclusion. Her acting ability made her a natural and inspiring leader and mentor for others in the business world.

Anja's love of travel brought her to many destinations spanning 5 continents, and she made friends everywhere she went. She did not simply touch people's lives, she left real and lasting impressions on them. She was described as a light in the world, an amazing inspiration, always full of joy and grace, with a beautiful and peaceful presence.

Anja also deeply loved family. Having grown up in a small family, she made it her priority to seek out, meet and build strong ties with extended family members. These efforts helped shape the compassionate woman that she was. She will be fiercely missed by her large family and her many friends around the world.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. The family ask that in lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Anja Lee be made in support of the Atlanta Shakespeare Company or the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly the Actors Fund of America).