Cocoa Lee

Cocoa Lee

05/14/2009 - 12/28/2023

Cocoa Lee, known affectionately as Cocoa to everyone who had the pleasure of crossing her charmingly sassy path, took her final bow on December 28, 2023, in Columbia, SC. Born on a sunny day in Charlottesville, VA, on May 14, 2009, Cocoa spent her years mastering the art of dramatic flair and perfecting the comedic timing that would leave her family in stitches with her sass.

Cocoa's early years were marked by her insatiable love for culinary adventures—her cheese curls could never be too cheesy, her lollipops too sweet, or her oranges too zesty. Many will remember her as a connoisseur of the fine art of snacking, with a particular penchant for the crinkly music of plastic bottles as she diligently worked them over with her paws, a performance that could only be described as both avant-garde and oddly mesmerizing.

Aside from her snack-time escapades, Cocoa's leisurely pursuits included sprawling out for naps in sunbeams that seemed to find her wherever she went, as if the sun itself was drawn to her magnetic personality. She was a spirited conversationalist, often engaging in lively debates with empty spaces and rolling her eyes when she disagreed, much to the amusement of her human family. Cocoa always had the last word, and that word was usually a sassy retort.

Speaking of family, Cocoa leaves behind a troupe of humans who were lucky enough to bask in her presence: Anna and Todd Lee, her doting human parents; Joey and Charlie, her endlessly entertained human brothers; Joe and Sue Sodomin, her adoring human grandparents; and Lara Lamb, her human aunt who always appreciated Cocoa's flair for the dramatic. Let's not forget Freya, her feline sister and partner-in-crime, who was often the Watson to Cocoa's Sherlock in their numerous household escapades.

Cocoa's departure at the ripe old age of fourteen, due to the all-too-human condition of old age, has left a void in the world of humor and sass that can never quite be filled. Her legacy, however, is one of joy, laughter, and a reminder to savor the zest of life, whether that be through a cheesy snack or a well-timed eye roll.

As we bid farewell to Cocoa Lee, let's not dwell on the silence left in her wake, but rather the echoes of laughter and the pawprints of joy she's imprinted on our hearts. She was more than a pet; she was a masterclass in living life with gusto and a touch of sass. And for that, we will always be grateful. Rest in peace, dear Cocoa, may your dreams be filled with endless cheese curls and sunbeams, and may you always find the perfect plastic bottle to chew in the great beyond.

We will miss our little "Coo-coo for Cocoa puffs." You will always be mommy and daddy's little teenage drama queen. You're aggressive snuggles, especially with meeting new friends, and those with snacks, will be a great loss. Thank you for being in our lives our sweet, sweet baby girl.