IngerLise Schiavenza

Lisa began life as Inger Lise Aspøy on November 9, 1947, in Stavanger, Norway, the third child of Per and Bertha Aspøy. Before her second birthday, she accompanied her mother and two older brothers on a transatlantic journey to the United States, where Per had immigrated six months earlier. IngerLise spent her childhood in San Francisco and, later, in San Mateo County, as her family welcomed the addition of two younger children.

IngerLise graduated from San Carlos High School in 1965. Later that year, she married Mitchell Davis, and just like that, the Norwegian IngerLise Aspøy had become Lisa Davis. Their oldest daughter, IngerMarie, was born in 1966, and a second daughter, Sheri, came along three years later.

The couple divorced in 1972. Still in her mid-twenties, Lisa embarked on what she later characterized as the most challenging part of her life. She had little money or connections — but plenty of smarts and determination, traits she would employ throughout her life. She joined the law office of Harry Margolis, where she met and befriended a young lawyer, Mark Schiavenza.

In 1977, seeking adventure, a fresh start, and a chance to be closer to her family in Norway, Lisa and her girls moved to Rotterdam, The Netherlands. She was determined to provide opportunities for exciting adventures and joyful memories, and to set an example for how to gracefully overcome numerous setbacks.

Sensing an opportunity slipping away, Mark secured an assignment there soon after. By the time they returned to the U.S. a year later, she and Mark were engaged. They married in 1979, and their son, Matthew, was born in 1981. The family of five moved to San Carlos, where Lisa had gone to high school, in 1984. She and Mark would stay in the city for a total of 37 years, becoming active members of the community — by the end of their time there, they could scarcely walk down the street without bumping into people they knew.

In 1990, after IngerMarie and Sheri had left home, Lisa took a part-time job at Menlo School as an assistant to the registrar. Soon enough, she became the registrar herself — and would remain at the school for over 24 years, eventually becoming the director of admissions for the middle school. An exceptionally organized person, Lisa proved to be a highly competent administrator. But her true gift to the school was her remarkable ability to relate to young people. She took her role as an advocate for students seriously, listening to their problems with empathy and compassion. She spoke highly of teenagers, believing that there was much to learn from them.

Indeed, Lisa had a lifelong passion for learning. As an adult, she took classes at local community colleges and learned Norwegian, which she had forgotten as a child, to an intermediate level. The consummate morning person, she was an excellent cook, a sharp dresser, and a skilled party host. She took pride in reading the newspaper and always had her nose in a book, attending the same book club for decades. Lisa remembered everyone’s birthday, sending along cards written in her beautiful cursive. Her open, non-judgmental friendliness was infectious — Lisa frequently engaged in warm conversation with strangers she met at the grocery store.

In her later years, Lisa seized the opportunity to travel, taking multiple trips with Mark to Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and across the United States. She took special pride in her Norwegian heritage, maintaining close connections with cousins and family friends and making several trips to Stavanger. As her grandchildren grew up, she made a point to take each one to Norway the year they turned 17.

Even as her illness robbed Lisa of her mental and physical capacity, she never lost her playful spirit. In 2021, she and Mark moved to San Francisco, sharing a duplex with IngerMarie and her family. Lisa was delighted to return to the city where she spent her formative years. She spent many happy hours visiting with family and caring for Willie, her beloved terrier. Our family wishes to express our heartfelt appreciation to Claudia Martinez and Maraia Kaisuva for the wonderful care that they provided to Lisa in the last period of her life.

Lisa leaves behind a rich, accomplished legacy: a marriage of 45 years, three children and children-in-law, five grandchildren, and countless friends and colleagues. The way she lived her life — with kindness, openness, laughter, discipline, and curiosity — will continue to inspire those she knew long after her passing.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Peder P Johnsen Education Fund (in care of Karen Rende at [email protected]) or The Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org/) or a charity of of your choice.

The family of IngerLise Schiavenza (Lisa) wishes to extend an invitation to those who knew and loved her to a memorial service on February 1 at 2:30 pm, at the Norwegian Seamen's Church at 2454 Hyde Street, San Francisco, 94109.

Services will be followed by a reception at 4pm at the Museo Italo Americano located at the Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Blvd. Building C, San Francisco, 94123.

The Norwegian Seamen's Church is an old building on the steep section of Hyde Street, so parking and accessibility for those with limited mobility may be challenging.

Please RSVP on this google form -

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyQe0wDmO6Bd6713Cc9NBZF-z05_mY7uCYtxNM8WOHJVxJSw/viewform .

You may also reach out to her daughter, IngerMarie if you need more information. ([email protected])

Thank you for your love and support.