I met Lisa in the beginning of our freshman year at WFB. Our very first meeting was in study hall. She was planning on having a party to get to know people who had come from other grade schools (she had come from Richards). She asked me if there were any St. Monica people (my grade school) that she should invite, preferably the popular ones. I gave her some names. She had the party. But she didn't invite me...
That was the very dubious start of a friendship that lasted close to 50 years. I made it a point to remind her, throughout the rest of her life. Often.
During high school, her main group of friends were Mary Drew Holmes, Robin Rood, and Wendy Waldheim. Now, only Wendy remains with us; she lives somewhere in Alaska, or so I've heard.
After high school, Lisa went to college in Silver City, NM. She studied fine jewelry there. After graduation, she spent time in Italy studying silversmithing, and stayed with relatives there on Lake Cuomo. She then spent time in Carmel, CA, again honing her silvermaking skills.
We lived together on the east side for a few years. She had a studio in our basement where she made silver jewelry, which she sold at local fairs. Eventually, she got sick of the cold, and moved to Florida. I have little memory of her time there, but I did attend her wedding, sometime around 1980. Later, she moved with her husband to Reno. There are a few years that, because of a brain infection, I cannot remember anything of our connection or communication. Unfortunately, there was also a period of time that, because of political disagreements, we had a large dent in our friendship. But, then, it was resolved. Eventually. And we stayed friends until her death.
Lisa passed on November 28, 2020. She died of Covid after close to 45 days in the hospital. Her husband, Ron, was unable to visit her during the entire time she was there, and, since testing positive for Covid himself, could not go to see her at the funeral home to say a final goodbye. She was cremated there.
As of this writing, Ron has been unable to write a death notice. So far, I believe, he has been unable to come to terms with her death.
I would like to ask that all of you please get the vaccine. This didn't have to happen. Thank you.
So sad to see we lose another classmate and yet to COVID. I have now lost to many friends and musicians I have met from COVID. Starting with old buddy John Prine to Lisa now. Probably up to 15 friends. Just terrible so stay safe people!!
One race driver friend Jim Pace, 59 years old and was racing a week before he passed from COVID.
Soooooooo ready for 2021 and this vaccine!
Be well all and safe and have a Happy Holiday Season!
Bruce, thank you for this announcement of Lisa's death on behalf of her husband, Ron. It pained me to read how she died without Ron being able to be by her side, or that he could not visit her in the funeral home. Few deaths can be more tragic than this. This sort of enforced isolation angers me. God rest her soul, and give special comfort to Ron.
I met Lisa through my friendship with Robin Rood. I loved that girl! She had the biggest smile and most welcoming personality, I just felt at home with her. I also loved her beautiful curly/wavy hair! We grew to know each other during those last two years of high school. I remember when her father died suddenly during the night. She called me in anguish the following morning while I was working at the 1812 in Whitefish Bay. I was so near her, but I couldn’t leave to comfort her in person. I always regretted that. Lisa was always artsy, so I wasn’t surprised when she went to school in New Mexico to study art. When she came back to Milwaukee, she stood up at my wedding in 1978. Her mother, Connie, was there too. She even used her jewelry making skills to make gorgeous 18K gold end pieces for sharks teeth we had found so that we could wear them on chains as mementos of our honeymoon. My husband and I moved to Denver a year later and Lisa came to visit to meet my baby girl born in 1981. I was so proud and having Lisa there to share that joy with me was very special. We lost touch during the years as the whirlwind that is life unfolded. I was shocked and saddened to learn of her death from Covid in 2020. She was a special person, and I agree with her husband, Ron. The good do die too young. Rest In Peace sweet Lisa.
Bruce Brewer
I met Lisa in the beginning of our freshman year at WFB. Our very first meeting was in study hall. She was planning on having a party to get to know people who had come from other grade schools (she had come from Richards). She asked me if there were any St. Monica people (my grade school) that she should invite, preferably the popular ones. I gave her some names. She had the party. But she didn't invite me...
That was the very dubious start of a friendship that lasted close to 50 years. I made it a point to remind her, throughout the rest of her life. Often.
During high school, her main group of friends were Mary Drew Holmes, Robin Rood, and Wendy Waldheim. Now, only Wendy remains with us; she lives somewhere in Alaska, or so I've heard.
After high school, Lisa went to college in Silver City, NM. She studied fine jewelry there. After graduation, she spent time in Italy studying silversmithing, and stayed with relatives there on Lake Cuomo. She then spent time in Carmel, CA, again honing her silvermaking skills.
We lived together on the east side for a few years. She had a studio in our basement where she made silver jewelry, which she sold at local fairs. Eventually, she got sick of the cold, and moved to Florida. I have little memory of her time there, but I did attend her wedding, sometime around 1980. Later, she moved with her husband to Reno. There are a few years that, because of a brain infection, I cannot remember anything of our connection or communication. Unfortunately, there was also a period of time that, because of political disagreements, we had a large dent in our friendship. But, then, it was resolved. Eventually. And we stayed friends until her death.
Lisa passed on November 28, 2020. She died of Covid after close to 45 days in the hospital. Her husband, Ron, was unable to visit her during the entire time she was there, and, since testing positive for Covid himself, could not go to see her at the funeral home to say a final goodbye. She was cremated there.
As of this writing, Ron has been unable to write a death notice. So far, I believe, he has been unable to come to terms with her death.
I would like to ask that all of you please get the vaccine. This didn't have to happen. Thank you.
Bruce Brewer
Richard Zimmermann
So sad to see we lose another classmate and yet to COVID. I have now lost to many friends and musicians I have met from COVID. Starting with old buddy John Prine to Lisa now. Probably up to 15 friends. Just terrible so stay safe people!!
One race driver friend Jim Pace, 59 years old and was racing a week before he passed from COVID.
Soooooooo ready for 2021 and this vaccine!
Be well all and safe and have a Happy Holiday Season!
Love to all,
Rich Zimmermann
Scott Wessling
Bruce, thank you for this announcement of Lisa's death on behalf of her husband, Ron. It pained me to read how she died without Ron being able to be by her side, or that he could not visit her in the funeral home. Few deaths can be more tragic than this. This sort of enforced isolation angers me. God rest her soul, and give special comfort to Ron.
Betsy Blaney
This is from a friend of Lisa's, Sherry Faust:
I met Lisa through my friendship with Robin Rood. I loved that girl! She had the biggest smile and most welcoming personality, I just felt at home with her. I also loved her beautiful curly/wavy hair! We grew to know each other during those last two years of high school. I remember when her father died suddenly during the night. She called me in anguish the following morning while I was working at the 1812 in Whitefish Bay. I was so near her, but I couldn’t leave to comfort her in person. I always regretted that. Lisa was always artsy, so I wasn’t surprised when she went to school in New Mexico to study art. When she came back to Milwaukee, she stood up at my wedding in 1978. Her mother, Connie, was there too. She even used her jewelry making skills to make gorgeous 18K gold end pieces for sharks teeth we had found so that we could wear them on chains as mementos of our honeymoon. My husband and I moved to Denver a year later and Lisa came to visit to meet my baby girl born in 1981. I was so proud and having Lisa there to share that joy with me was very special. We lost touch during the years as the whirlwind that is life unfolded. I was shocked and saddened to learn of her death from Covid in 2020. She was a special person, and I agree with her husband, Ron. The good do die too young. Rest In Peace sweet Lisa.
Bruce Brewer