Lisa Jane Journagan

Surrounded by the family who cherished her, Lisa Jane Journagan, age 55, went into the loving arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 2, 2025, after valiantly fighting cancer. She is survived by her loving sister and brother-in-law, Tina and Bruce Ingram, and by her beloved niece and nephew Abby Ingram-Nance (Tyler) and Drew Ingram. She is also survived by many cousins and a large extended family in whose lives Lisa was a bright light. She was preceded in death by her mother, Catherine Sergio, just two months ago. Lisa was also preceded in death by her grandparents, Paul A. and Margaret (Zappia) Sergio.

Lisa was born September 10, 1969, just 14 months after her sister Tina. She was simply the sweetest baby and toddler, so very calm and good natured. Images of her little smile, her tiny arm resting above her mouth in her “comfort” move, and the bows that her mother would tape to her head are forever ingrained in our memories. She was then who she remained all of her life, a joy to be around.

Lisa was adored by her mother, Cathy, from the first. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for Lisa. From back when Lisa had colic and her mom would climb into the crib to comfort her through to her final days, Lisa was her baby girl. The two of them moved to Montgomery together in 2020 to be closer to Tina and her family. When Lisa was diagnosed with cancer, her mother tenderly cared for and supported her. When Lisa went into remission, the two of them fell into a happy routine of cooking together, enjoying Hallmark movies and HGTV, and spending quality time with Tina, Bruce, Abby and Tyler, and Drew. Our Lord knew that her mom couldn’t bear to lose Lisa, so he took her first and we know she prepared a place for Lisa. It gives us peace knowing they are together again.

Lisa was strong and independent, but with her sister Tina, she didn’t always have to be. She could sometimes just be the little sister who could count on her big sister. Tina was home for Lisa, and the person with whom she could feel safe. She could let Tina help with things and when she was sick, she trusted Tina to take care of her which Tina did lovingly. Throughout their childhood, the girls spent many weekends on the family boat swimming, sunning themselves, and water skiing on the San Juaquin Delta. They enjoyed snow skiing together at Bear Valley and Kirkwood. Lisa and Tina made great memories playing on the St. Mary’s High School Volleyball team together. They took a special trip to Italy with their mother and created wonderful memories. Lisa and Tina’s relationship was a beautiful gift to them both.

Lisa spent a happy childhood in Lodi, California, where she and Tina lived four houses down from their cousins Paula and Mary Ellen. Born within four years of each other, they grew up together as sisters, best friends, and playmates. Whether the girls were on roller skates, big wheels, or bicycles, they were always on the move and weekends brought sleepovers at one another’s houses. They embarked on many adventures in the “wilderness” behind the levy, were constant visitors to the Lodi Lake playground, and spent countless hours swimming in the pool. For two years, their cousins Trish and Margaret also lived on the same street and joined in the fun. Lisa, the youngest of the girls, was the most easy-going. She will always be the beloved little sister of the remaining members of the “Lodi 6”, who will miss her every day.

At the age of 30, Lisa decided to fulfill her ambition of becoming an entrepreneur. In 1999, she started her own strategic event and meeting planning company, Connect the Dots Inc. She had an incredible work ethic and was very disciplined ‒ which combined with her innate passion, drive, and charisma ‒ made her an unstoppable force. Lisa built Connect the Dots into a successful company, handling a wide range of corporate events for groups of 50-400 people held all over the country and around the world. A consummate professional who prioritized excellence and client satisfaction, Lisa was twice awarded the Meeting Professionals International (Houston Chapter) “Meeting Planner of the Year Award.”

People find comfort in many things, but for those of us blessed to know Lisa intimately, we found comfort in her; in her presence, in her smile, in her warmth, and in her steadiness. When we needed good advice she was on speed dial. When we needed a shoulder to cry on, she offered words of encouragement; somehow or another, she always knew exactly what to say. She was compassionate and yet could also give us a gentle nudge in the right direction when we needed to hear it. Lisa invested in people. She was great about calling to check in or sending a handwritten note (which usually included these tiny cards bearing uplifting and encouraging sayings). As busy as she was, she made sure you knew that she was never too busy for you. Lisa made time for what was important, and nothing was more important to her than her family and friends. She showed up for others and found time to attend everyone’s special events even if it meant jumping on a plane and flying across the country.

Lisa loved Abby and Drew as if they were her own children, and they thought of her as a second mom. She lovingly nicknamed them her “meerkats” and enjoyed spending quality time with them. Lisa was their biggest fan, and Abby recalls how much it meant to look out into the crowd and see Lisa’s face at her school events and volleyball games. She was always cheering Drew on in his hunting and fishing, and would ask him to bring her back pictures in addition to meat and fish that they’d eat together when he got back. Lisa made them feel they could do anything, not because she had to as their aunt, but because she truly believed in them.

Drew and Lisa would frequently watch National Geographic together because he was so interested in wildlife and the outdoors. She was always telling him, “I love you to pieces no matter what” and he knew that it was true. When Drew was little, Lisa and Drew could be found playing with his toys and building intricate Lego creations. They also enjoyed making meals together which developed his interest in cooking that continues to this day. At sleepovers, Drew and Lisa had fun playing games and getting Bruster’s Ice Cream. Lisa so enjoyed being part of Drew’s childhood and cherished the friendship that developed between them when he was grown up. She adored the boy he was and she loved the man he became. He, in turn, respected and admired her and loved stopping by the house Lisa and Nani shared on a regular basis to visit them, share a meal, or help with things they needed done.

Whether it was having frequent sleepovers and talking late into the night while snuggling in bed, playing dress up with Abby and letting her try on all her clothes and shoes, or taking her to Destin on a fun beach trip where they laid out in the sun, ate sushi and shopped, Lisa and Abby had so much fun together. She recalls playing with Lisa’s office supplies and work materials because she wanted to be just like Lisa. She let Abby pretend to drink coffee, and when Abby was old enough to actually drink it, they enjoyed it together. They shared a love of music and had a blast at a Bruce Springsteen concert. Lisa’s beloved concert tee shirt has survived over a decade. She was the person Abby went to when she was sad, mad or confused, or to celebrate the good things. Lisa never settled for anything less than she deserved and taught Abby that same confidence. She modeled strength, grace, and positivity. When Lisa wanted something, she went for it, worked hard, and made it happen. Lisa showed Abby that all she needed to accomplish something was herself. When Abby met her husband Tyler, Lisa showed him that same love and included him in everything while also making sure he knew he’d better treat Abby right because she always had Abby’s back. Always.

Lisa treasured her relationship with Shelly and Cathi, her best friends since childhood. The three of them bonded in elementary school and remained each other’s people throughout their lives. They were each other’s chosen family. After meeting as fifth graders, Shelly and Lisa were inseparable. After college, though the three spent less time together due to living far away, it was as if no time had passed when they got together. As women they took trips together, including an annual spa vacation. Lisa had a polished, put-together style and they’d laugh about her cute outfits and her on-point accessories. Lisa would give her famous finger wag and joke with Cathi about elevating her outfits, but that was our Lisa, a woman who forever raised the bar, elevating everyone and everything around her.

Lisa loved to travel and experience new things. She traveled the world for work but also with family and friends. She enjoyed sharing a good meal, meeting new people and making friends out of them, and making memories out of moments. She was a collector of trinkets and mementos, not because of the things themselves, but because each item represented a special person, event, or place she wanted to remember.

There are few people with whom we truly want to grow old, people we can’t visualize ourselves without when our hair turns gray. Lisa was one of those people for so many of us, and we will miss her more than words can say. We will cherish every moment we shared with her, hold every memory close in our hearts, and carry her with us wherever we go because she is such a big part of who we are. Lisa will be remembered for her many professional accomplishments, but even more so for her relationships ‒ such as the rich and beautiful bonds she had with her mother, her sister, her niece, her aunts, her cousins, and her two best friends ‒ multiple generations of fabulous women who loved and celebrated each other and who formed sisterhoods, whether related by blood or not.

Everyone who knew Lisa would tell you she was the best of us. She was endlessly kind and thoughtful. Whether it was to share your laughter or your tears, she was by your side. Lisa never waited to tell us that she loved us or to make her loving presence known in our lives. We honor her by carrying that legacy forward.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in Our Lady of the Angels Chapel at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 8715 Kuykendahl Rd, Spring, TX 77382, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 12, 2025.

Please feel free to wear bright colors in celebration of Lisa's life.