File photo of Henry Chang-Yu Lee (L) and his wife. (Provided by World Journal)
(ECNS) -- The wife of Henry Chang-Yu Lee, one of the world's foremost forensic scientists, died at age 78 at a hospital in Connecticut on July 31.
A source close to Lee said his wife Song Miaojuan, known as Margaret, fell into coma after suffering a stroke days ago. She died in the hospital with Lee, their son and daughter at her side, according to the U.S.- based Chinese language newspaper World Journal.
The couple were married in 1962. Lee said repeatedly in previous speeches that he wouldn't have become who he is today without his wife.
Song, whose father was from Panyu in Guangdong Province, was born in 1939 in Malaysia. She studied in Taiwan in 1959 and met Lee who worked with the Taipei Police Department.
Song said Lee often invited his colleagues to watch her play basketball at that time and that she thought Lee was quite nice, gentle and enterprising. Lee and Song emigrated to the U.S. in 1965.
Lee was said to often tell friends his wife was his soulmate and that he couldn't imagine how difficult his life would be without her.
A memorial service will be held on Aug. 4.
