A. Lee Campione

A. Lee Campione (nee Scowen), EMBA, BA – 91, of Wallingford, died unexpectedly and peacefully Friday, March 14, 2025. Born on October 19, 1933, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada to the late P.H. Scowen and Eulah Reed, Lee’s early years were spent living in Quebec. On a gap-year trip to Europe, she met her husband-to-be in Lausanne, Switzerland.
For 51 years, she was the wife and partner of Dr. Matthew P. Campione, a much loved and respected surgeon. During their life together, Matt and Lee made homes in New York City, Waterbury and Meriden Connecticut. They loved their time at their second home, Reedville Farm in North Hatley, Quebec. They enjoyed travel to Europe, Canada and the U.S. and made many happy memories. Matt died in 2006.
Lee served as a community advocate and volunteer in many organizations, devoting her energies primarily to women, children, the arts and justice. She was founder of the Meriden Day Care Center and Meriden Community Vision and she was the first chairperson of the Neighborhood Preservation Commission.
As a result of her deep commitment, she was honored with The Meriden Chamber of Commerce Community Partnership Award, the Midstate Medical Center Crystal Obelisk Award, the Girls Inc. Strong, Smart & Bold Honoree award, the Regional Rotary Jean Harris Award, the Meriden Rotary Howard Houston Award, MEDCO’s Business Learning Centre Civic Excellence Award, and the Curtis Home Lemuel Curtis Award.
Lee also served as the first woman on the board of directors at Central Bank for Savings and Perkins Paper Company. She was a valued member on boards of directors, namely the board of trustees of Choate Rosemary Hall, the Meriden Chamber of Commerce, the Curtis Home, St. Andrew’s Church, the Augusta Curtis Cultural Centre, Community Vision and MEDCO.
Lee’s other passion was entertaining and she was a truly spectacular hostess. She loved gathering people either to a small dinner or a big party. Invitations were often impromptu. No matter where she lived, Lee created beautiful and welcoming homes for her many dear friends to enjoy.
Lee and Matt were blessed with four daughters, Annis, Cathy, Martha and Christine; nine grandchildren, Jenna, Alta, Abigail, Cordelia, Hillary, Jessye, Benjamin, Alissa and Logan; nine great-grandchildren, Greylin, Vivienne, Oliver, Haley, Gloria, Tommy, Leyzer, Zalman and Zelda; sons-in-law, Joel Stein, Bill Maksym and Tony Rioux; grandsons-in-law, Sean, Jonathan, Ira and Naftali. She was beloved Aunt Lee to her many nieces and nephews.
After Matt’s death, Lee enjoyed 10 years in the company of her dear friend and partner, Marvin Kalisch until his death in 2018. Marvin’s daughter Andrea Casey, and her husband Rick, were a great comfort to Lee.
Lee is also survived by her brother Philip Scowen and sister-in-law Monique of Sherbrooke, Quebec.
Lee enjoyed the last seven years of her life making and renewing deep friendships at Ashlar Village.
Friends are invited to join the family for A Celebration of Lee’s Life on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. in the Hartog Building Auditorium in Ashlar Village, 74 Cheshire Road, Wallingford, CT 06492. Private burial will be in Reedsville Cemetery in North Hatley, QC at a later date.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the ACLU Connecticut – 765 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105 or at https://action.aclu.org/give/ct-tribute-gift-donation. Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home in care of arrangements. To leave a condolence for her family, please see obituary at www.beecherandbennett.com.