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Lisa Enjoyed Knitting

March 6, 2012

Lisa belonged to "Eweforia", a stitch n bi___ group of friends that enjoy monthly visits. We've loved having her with us and will miss her very much.

 

Lisa Enjoyed Knitting

March 6, 2012

Lisa belonged to "Eweforia", a stitch n bi___ group of friends that enjoy monthly visits. We've loved having her with us and will miss her very much.

 

March 5, 2012

 Lisa loved to skate and skated once in a show with Olympic skater Scott Hamilton. Lisa was taller than Scott who was 5'2" and weighed just 100 lbs. She thought it was funny that he was so petite in real life. I think this shaped her want to leave celebrities alone when we would see them around the county...she realized that they were just people, ones who had been magnified by the screen on which they appear.

4th of July parade

March 5, 2012

In various years we've partcipated in the Twin Cities 4th of July parade. This was the 1st year and we walked the whole route. I think we pulled Sarah along in a Red Ryder wagon. In later years we figured out that the best strategy is to walk some, then hang out with friends in the crowd, then take a short cut to the after party.

Sun Valley

March 5, 2012

John went to Sun Valley mountain biking with Brian Barrett a couple of times and eventually went back with Lisa and the kids. A fun time was had by all, including white water rafting with the kids who probably shouldn't have been allowed out there. That's Lisa and her girls on the right, Camilla Barrett and her girls on the left, and the guide in back who promised to jump in and rescue the girls if they fell out of the boat. John and Brian were trailing behind in single man kayaks and holding on for dear life.

Lisa, my special friend

March 4, 2012

It somehow doesn't seem like enough to say, "Lisa was my good friend, or "Lisa was my close friend". She always seemed like so much more than that. Like a family member, a sister.

We first met each other in 2008 when we were diagnosed with breast cancer. We were in the same support group at Marin Cancer Care. I was immediately drawn to Lisa-her warm smile, empathy, & ablility to patiently listen to others (not my strong suit!). As we graduated from support group-4 of us maintained a lunch group-which as ladies went back to work, became Lisa & I. We thought of ourselves as "gourmands"; our specialties-strong coffee (Peets or Tullys), dark chocolate, & new Thai restaurants in Marin.

For the past 3 years we were in remission together & as "fate" would have it, we both had recurences together (about 6 months ago). As discouraging as it is to have a recurence-I actually felt hopeful, cause I'd be going through this with Lisa. We could support each other as we always have, I thought & we could survive this as well. This is why it came as such a blow to hear of Lisa's sudden passing.

Lisa is fortunate to have sucy a tremendous support system behind her. I know it will be difficult for John, Jen, & Sara. I will try "forging on" without her. After all, I feel as is if I've lost a member or my family as well...Cathy Koshiyama

She Lived Her Values

March 4, 2012

I met Lisa when Adam Saville and I taught together in a.m./p.m. kindergarten and Sarah was in Adam’s class. Later, I was so lucky to be Jen’s kindergarten teacher. We loved those girls! So I got to know Lisa first as an incredibly devoted mother to her wonderful daughters. I will always remember Lisa walking through the door of room A1 with a huge smile on her face, a friendly comment or knowing glance, and a kind gesture. I was amazed at how she thoroughly understood the challenges of teaching, and she always anticipated what Adam and I needed in the classroom (sometimes even before we did!) – and found a way to provide it. She was the ultimate supporter of her children – and all children’s right to a quality education. Whenever she volunteered in the classroom I felt like I had another teacher right by my side, knowing exactly what to do and what to say – she was just the best! Her interactions were from the heart. Her friendly, happy, open, generous, and loving spirit resonate when I think of her. And of course I loved the way she connected with our Australian Shepherd, Java – she really had a special gift for understanding the spirit inside the animal. She lived her values and will always be an inspiration to me.

Auntie Peggy's 90th birthday

March 4, 2012

Lisa flew down to southern California to attend Auntie Peggy's 90th birthday party in October 2011. This was also the week of her 50th birthday. We celebrated from 1-4pm at a wonderful Chinese restaurant followed by another three hours to visit with just the Wong side at the Marriott hotel down the street. She was in a lot of pain and was learning how to 'manage' it but she was determined not to miss out on the food, family, and fun. This would be the last family party Lisa attended. 

Aunt Lisa's Wedding

March 3, 2012

Aunt Lisa was the greatest!  She was not only my aunt, she was my godmother too.  I will miss her so much!. 

March 3, 2012

The first time I ever heard the name Lisa was from my Mom.She was telling me about this fussy little baby that she was holding that was the daughter of her neighbor.
Sarah was not fond of any one but her own Mom when she was little so Lisa would bring her down the street for my Mom to hold so she could get use to other people. A while after I heard John's name from my Dad as he helped them with handy man chores around the house. There was another baby, Jen Jen, then a kitchen remodeling and after a while I started feeling like someone was stealing my parents away! I decided right then that I had to meet these people and set them straight as to just who had first rights to my Mom and Dad ! Since I grew up there I knew both of their houses well because I had spent time in them while growing up. I swam in their pool as a young teen and told them stories about the day the window washer caught my friend and I skinny dipping.Lisa found that very entertaining and we laughed about it more than once. I got to know John, Lisa and the girls as the fence and back yard were being re done . It was then that I realised how special this family was and I happily  shared my parents with them. I often wished I lived closer so I could get to know them better.
When the girls were young I would send the "secret" gifties of silly bracelets I would make for them.It was a huge mystery where they were coming from until one day Sarah heard me say I lived in Windsor and she had seen that town on the return address. 

I was shocked, as we all were, to hear that Lisa was gone  at such an unexpected  time. I had wanted to visit after their trip and hear all about it first hand but it was too late.It does not surprise me at all that on the day she died she called to check on a friend from her group to hear how she was doing.That was Lisa, always caring and concerned about others.In her leaving ,she taught me something about time and how precious it is.She also taught me about strength and courage when the going gets rough. I hope use those lessons and live each day to the fullest to honor her memory and I will do so with a smile on my face as she would.


   
 

March 3, 2012

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one." ~Jane Howard

Lisa was my cousin and one of my BFFs. Our dads are brothers. She was older than me and I adored her. My earliest memories are of family gatherings. We spent Thanksgiving at her house with the Wong side of the family and her dad roasted the turkey. Us younger cousins (me, my sister, Les) would hang out in her prettty lavender room with the white furniture and canopy bed (a dream bedroom). I loved her room, it was painted MY favorite color. Years later my dad painted my bedroom lavender though it looked white but it was better than nothing and I was happy. I won't go in to detail about us being banned from her brother's room where our older cousins hung out. We had fun in her room watching TV, admiring her ice skating costume, toys, books, games, yearbooks, jewelry, and other girl stuff.

In the early 70s I remember staying overnight and her dad taking us ice skating the next day. It was my first time. As her dad tied my skates I watched Lisa glide effortlessly across the ice and twirl. So graceful. We don't share the ice skating gene. That was my only experience ice skating until we did it again as young adults. She played a lot of tennis and seemed to live on the tennis courts with various partners.

The 80s brought adventures since she had a drivers license and a car. A few memories include Sir Guaan haircuts, cellophaned colored hair, headbands, bright eyeshadow, school dances, Duran Duran, her biology partner, and Sac State. One weekend I stayed over and she told me to sleep in the next morning because she had to go meet her biology partner, some guy name John Thompson. That was 30 years ago. I remember asking how it went and she said, "he's nice." My senior year in high school she was in college and didn't mind accompanying me to a school dance. She was such a good sport and indulged me. She was always game to try new things and let me "experiment" on her hence different make up techniques, haircuts, and of course cellophaned hair! One time she told me, "John always knows when I spend time with you. I come back wearing makeup." We just laughed. I was so excited when she moved to the Sacramento area and transferred to Sac State. Though we never saw each other on campus, I loved driving over to her apartment after class to hang out. She always had snacks and interesting roommates.

The 90s were painted with our weddings, first time homes, pregnancy, and the birth of our children. Her daughter, Sarah, and my son, Adam, are born within a month of each other. With the children we started a new chapter of adventures together which included trips to the snow, the joys of pedicures, eating sushi, watching the kids play in the pool, and Wong family gatherings with the new generation. She never crossed the bridge for Chinese food which puzzled me since it was the golden gate to San Francisco. She would always come back to the Central Valley for her fill of "good Chinese food." That was home and it was always in her heart and appetite.

In the 2000s we learned to balance parenthood, work, and the extracurricular activities of our children. Her parenting style reminded me of her dad. Patient, kind, loving, and generous. "Deal with it and move on, it's ok." I will miss her many words of wisdom. Sarah's volleyball tournaments brought them to town for games which we enjoyed since they stayed with us. That was a year ago. While Sarah slept in one morning, Lisa joined me and Adam to make 500 beef teriyaki sandwiches for his scout fundraiser. It was fun having her there. She was planning to help me again this year. I'll miss her calls telling me that she and 'the girls" are coming out.

Food always played a role in our lives whether it was family dinners or visiting each other. Me bringing BBQ pork baos and peanut butter filled mochi to her house or her bringing me delicacies from Rulli's in Larkspur or something special that she knew I would love. She knew how to give and receive. My cousin Sherry recently shared that Lisa "was one of the people that I always like giving stuff to because she was always so appreciative and I know that she truly enjoyed it herself (food or clothing)." I couldn't agree more.

On my last visit with her a few weeks ago we chatted for three hours while John was in the kitchen preparing crab cakes for her dinner. We amused ourselves with mindless chatter and stories of the past. She was satisfied with her life and told me "John takes good care of me, I'm lucky."

"A happy family is but an earlier heaven." ~ George Bernard Shaw

 

 

Uncle David's 80th birthday

March 3, 2012

(L-R) Irma, Auntie Joyce, Uncle Keith, cousin Les, Lisa, cousin Stephanie, and cousin Calvin. December 2008, the weekend after Christmas, we celebrated my dad's 80th brithday at Frasinetti's Winery in Sacramento.

A true impact on my life

March 3, 2012
 Lisa and my mom have been close friends now for only a few years, but it feels like she has been a part of our family for many years.  My mom thought of her as a sister, therefore she was always like "Auntie Lisa" to me.  When I heard of her passing, I cried for days, I was in such disbelief, but I know that she is in a better place right now and she will always be remembered fondly.

 Lisa was one of the most open-minded, friendly, positive and generous spirits that I have had the privilege to meet.  Since the day I have met her, at my mom's support group, she was always friendly, full of life and perhaps the best support for my mom, besides myself and my dad.  I'll never forget our dog "play dates", foodie trips, visits to her house, etc.

 I'll never forget the day when Lisa brought us Comforts food after my mom had undergone treatment for cancer; she brought an entire spread fit to serve about 5 people! She could tell how low-spirited my mom and I both were, and entertained us with amusing stories and jokes.  I recall how she sat me down face to face and even asked for my input (me being a slightly immature college student at the time) about a minor concern that she had, and how she carefully considered my advice and thoughts without judgment.

Another occasion that resonates with me, is when Lisa was enjoying her last days with her family, she STILL took the time to contact me and ask about how my mom and I were doing, expressing lots of concern despite what she was going through.  This selflessness is something that I will always carry with me for the rest of my life; Lisa has taught me to live each day to the fullest and to always stay true to myself. She was a truly remarkable person and each day I strive to be as strong, positive and generous as she was; she will never, ever be forgotten.

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