Lisa was born at Mercy Hospital in Cincinnati, OH on September 28,1962 to Linda Marie Troutman and Herbert "Chip" Fast. Linda married William Harvey Troutman and they lovingly raised Lisa together. It has been said that Lisa was born with her eyes wide open and was ready to get on with life! Lisa's grandparents were thrilled the "ginger trait" was carried on in little Lisa. Out of the gate it was apparent to all who loved the vivacious redhead, that she was full of tenacity and fortitude!
From the very beginning, Lisa wanted to be center stage and involved with any and all things. Lisa had that opportunity while attending elementary schools in Cincinnati and Sylvania, Ohio, and Louisville, Kentucky. Lisa was a cheerleader at Bromfield High School in Harvard, Massachusetts, graduated from Spartanburg High School in South Carolina, and attended the University of South Carolina. Lisa and her brother, Bart, forged a special bond being only 2 years apart and sharing so many childhood memories. Lisa adored Bart. Lisa cherished her younger sister, Lauren. Despite being 18 years apart in age they shared an extraordinary sister connection.
Lisa married John Brinkman on July 16, 1983 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Lisa and John dated and fell in love in Cincinnati, OH. They had their first dance to Frank Sinatra's New York, New York in Zips Cafe where they enjoyed throwing darts and spending time with friends. Lisa traveled as a regional manager for a ladies specialty-clothing group early in their marriage. While out on the road Lisa weathered the category 4 Hurricane Hugo. John drove through the storm debris to give Lisa her first "mobile bag phone" so they would never lose contact again. That just might have started Lisa's deep connection with her phone! John may have regretted that decision. Ha!
A few years after their move to Atlanta, Georgia Lisa said to John, "I'm ready". And so, Lisa's true-life work began. The tenacity and fortitude shown from birth grew exponentially when Lisa became a mother. Connor, Carson, and Cadan were her world, and everyone knew it. She loved them until it hurt. Lisa's fierce desire for her three babies to grab ahold of life and its opportunities shaped every decision she made as a mother.
Martha Stewart had nothing on Lisa. Lisa was the volunteer mom for everything. Room mom, PTO volunteer at Northpoint, Kingsley & Normal Community High School, Children's Discovery Museum Auxiliary, Boy Scout leader, Girl Scout leader, Band Mom, Softball Mom, Queen of the After Prom and the list goes on and on. She was the volunteer mom on steroids. Everyone knew if you wanted it done right, get Lisa involved and step aside.
When Lisa loved you, she loved you deeply. From early on she loved the connections of friendship. Her early pen pal letters, her deep connections with the "Brittany Babes", her long couple friendships she and John had together, her softball moms, birthday lunch girls, Christmas party gang, Party City peeps, her fur baby sidekicks, and Paige Place. (Paige Place is a family and is currently in a panic as to who is now going to start the “You've Been Booed" on Halloween!)
Lisa was overwhelmed with all the love and support through these exceedingly difficult years while battling cancer. The abundance of love, cards, flowers, meals, texts, phone calls, gift cards, special lunches and a bounty of prayers for her, John, Connor, Carson and Cadan filled Lisa with a fierce desire to fight. She was thankful every day for her village.
May the light of Lisa continue to shine bright forever.
Lisa is survived by her husband John Christian Brinkman, children John Connor (Kayli Wolford) Brinkman, Michael Carson Brinkman and Cadan Marie Brinkman, parents Linda & Bill Troutman, Herbert James (Linda) Fast, brother Bart Fast, sister Lauren Vogler and niece Ellie Vogler.
In lieu of flowers, Lisa wished for donations to be made to Cadan’s college fund.
Checks may be made in the care of Lauren Vogler 1901 Carthage Road Tucker, GA 30084 or through Venmo @lauren-troutman
