The board and staff of McLean Project for the Arts are saddened to learn of the death February 15, 2026, of longtime MPA friend and supporter Lee DiCenso.
The daughter of of James and Mary Lois Conaboy, Lee Conaboy DiCenso was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on March 3, 1959. Lee is survived by her husband Peter DiCenso, her son Jay DiCenso, her daughter-in-law Lexi Blevins, her brother Matt Conaboy, and her father-in-law Al DiCenso.
Growing up in Scranton, PA, Lee had the opportunity to spend each summer on the shores of Lake Ariel and enjoy all of nature’s beauty. Throughout her 66 years at the lake, Lee gained an incredible appreciation for nature, enjoyed numerous outdoor experiences, and built a community of friends around her as she shared her interests and insights with those nearby, as well as with the many friends who visited and got to enjoy her gracious hospitality. As you might imagine, the lake was Lee’s “happy place”.
After moving to Camp Hill PA, Lee graduated from Cedar Cliff High School and then attended the University of Richmond where she met her husband, Pete. Starstruck by this angel, Pete finally got up the courage and asked Lee out for their first date April 1st of their Freshman year, and, within 60 days proposed to her. She said YES! His entire life savings of $600 were used to buy the engagement ring of which she proudly wore the rest of her life, rebuffing Pete’s multiple attempts to replace or enhance it throughout their 44 years of marriage. To Lee, real wealth was in her relationships, her friends and her family.
Lee and Pete married in 1982, and both started their careers in the Baltimore area–Lee in Marketing and PR, and Pete in Finance. They started their family with the addition of their son Jay in 1989. As Pete’s career developed, they moved to Northern New Jersey; Dayton, Ohio; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Mclean, Virginia. In each of those locations, Lee was active in volunteer organizations focused on the arts, with her favorite being the McLean Project for the Arts in McLean, Va.
Lee’s greatest enjoyment was being with her son Jay. She enjoyed every moment of his upbringing and took great care to help him build a foundation for life that reflected her values. As Jay matured through adulthood, Lee continued to be very excited at any and every opportunity to be with him. She was definitely a proud mom. Eight years ago, Lee and Pete moved to the Atlanta Georgia area to be closer to Jay and his wife.
Lee lived life courageously and bravely, and she leaves a void with everyone that knew her and the many lives she touched.
We are grateful to the DiCenso Family for designating MPA as the recipient of memorial gifts in Lee’s memory. Memorial gifts in honor of Lee will be dedicated towards MPA’s ArtReach program, which extends MPA’s visual arts exhibitions into the community through gallery tours and workshops for FCPS Title I elementary schools and individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. Lee led these tours for many years and so enjoyed helping these gallery visitors to understand the many uplifting purposes of art. If you are so inclined, please join us in contributing to this fund and establishing a living memorial in honor of Lee.
