LISA MARIE MITCHELL

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LISA MARIE MITCHELL On October 25, 2005 after an inspirational battle with cancer, during which her first thought was always of others, our precious angel returned to God. Lent to us for 29 short years, Lisa brought overwhelming joy to her family and friends. She lived her life as a role model and teacher and left an indelible mark on all who knew and cherished her. Lisa will be missed terribly by her beloved family: parents, Les and Roberta Mitchell; brother, Scott and fiancee, Lauren Bermack; Grandma and Grandpa, Mary and Bill MacLeod; aunties, uncles, and cousins: Jean and Paul Pelland (Jeremy and Brieanne (Garth)); Lyle and Cheri Mitchell (Tyler and Stefani); Debbie Nowazek (Sara); Lori and Steve Steele (Wade and Kyle); and her step family. She will also be missed by a huge circle of friends and acquaintances. Lisa was predeceased by her Grandpa Cook and her Baba and Grandpa Mitchell. Lisa had a joie de vivre that endeared her to everyone. As a child, she was full of mischief and interested in everything around her. Succeeding beyond our wildest dreams, with stubborn determination she defied all odds, speaking before she was a year old and beginning to read words at three. She loved playing imaginary games with her brother, painting with chocolate pudding, singing, reading, and listening to countless stories, especially the wonderful monkey stories created by her beloved Grandma MacLeod. She was a ray of sunshine in our lives. As she grew, Lisa continued her journey as our teacher. She attended her neighbourhood schools of Chancellor, A. A. Leach, and Vincent Massey Collegiate, challenging educators to stretch and excel, as she did herself. Some of her favourite memories were of her circle of friends, Massey musicals and choral concerts, and her special teachers and assistants. She gave us the gifts of her beautiful poetry and inspiring and thought-provoking messages at numerous conferences and in Between the Lines, a play produced through ACL Manitoba challenging attitudes towards disabilities, in which she was the leading actress. Three years ago, Lisa became one of the first two students in the Campus Life Program at the University of Manitoba, where she took courses in Family Studies and Theatre, achieving a life-long dream and impressing her professors and classmates with her love of learning and amazing acting skills. During her adult life, she also held several volunteer positions with the help of Network South. While she was in the hospital, she often talked about how much she missed her friends at Disability Services at the U of M where she had been working most recently and how she longed to get back to school. Probably her greatest love, however, was Rainbow Stage where she had been a devoted usher for twelve years. Her loyalty and love for everyone and everything Rainbow' was fiercely passionate. She had been hoping so much to get better so she could attend Smokey Joe's Cafe', their fall production. Her friends held a special place in Lisa's heart. She had a huge capacity for love and forgiveness. Instead of focusing on what she did not have, she was thankful for what she did have; Saturday night card games with the Kemps, a phone call or email, a movie or lunch date, or a trip to the mall or bar would cause her to smile that wonderful smile and forget any loneliness she might be feeling. She appreciated the beauty of people both inside and out; the not -so- subtle way she collected and kept her hot' guy friends made us all envious. Lisa's friends were friends for life. She had a unique and intuitive gift for searching out those who would see into her soul and might also need her; then she worked her way into their hearts forever. Above all, family was precious to Lisa. She loved us unconditionally; her happiest moments occurred when she was able to surprise us with cards and gifts, make us laugh, or warm our hearts with one of her healing hugs. She loved celebrations: her birthday, Christmas, and family gatherings and camping trips where we talked, reminisced, and played the dice game filled her with joy. She appreciated all the smallest blessings in life the rest of us often take for granted and remembered every detail from special moments that, in our busy lives, we often forgot. We will miss her smile, hugs, thoughtfulness, humour, feistiness, tenacity, courage, and yes, even her stubbornness. But most of all, we will miss the great gift of her love. A heroine, in our estimation is someone who smiles in the face of adversity, who creates ability from disability, and whose loving nature has a profound effect on those around her. Lisa was, indeed, our heroine. We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the doctors, nurses, and healthcare aids from Emergency and 3N at the Victoria Hospital and from the Palliative Care Unit at the St. Boniface Hospital, who cared for Lisa with tireless energy and gentle compassion during her illness. Special thanks to Drs. Michele Evans and Brian Sharkey, doctors extraordinaire. Heartfelt gratitude also to our wonderful family and friends; there are no words that adequately say what is in our hearts. We will never forget. A celebration of Lisa's life will be held on Saturday, October 29 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Ignatius Church, Stafford and Corydon, with Fr. P. Monty officiating. A reception and tributes will follow at St. John's-Ravenscourt School, 400 South Drive. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations in Lisa's name may be made to Rainbow Stage, 200-180 Market Ave., R3B 0P7 or the Campus Life Program, 171 Continuing Education Complex, University of Manitoba, R3T 2N2 Her candle's light shone as brightly as the sun. Flickered once, then too quickly it was gone. But the warmth of her love was so strong It lingered on- Giving comfort even though her candle's light was gone. Neil Bardal Inc. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 28, 2005