Name: Ross Hollywood Chapel
Address: Portland, OR

I met Lisa so many years ago, the 1980s at PSU when I decided to do an EFL/ESL degree... ultimately a certificate.  We 'hit it off' instantly.  She was magnetic, I loved her dearly, but could ultimately be only a friend... She helped me all through my life from the time I met her to the day she died.... But I'm afraid the last meeting was a strange one, and I regret that I never saw her again.  I think her illness was beginning, and I was becoming more distant as Japan took more time... Went there with my EFL cert and Hst MA and haven't returned... and other reasons.  We sat in her backyard, but bees buzzed her constantly, not bothering me, I wonder if her illness was encroaching then, but I left her a bit distraught, both of us... Later my e-mails weren't answered, and when I finally got back to PDX and knocked on the door there was no answer, I think I left a note, but I can't remember clearly because I never heard from her... She died on a December night when I was in Portland on break visiting other friends... Lisa was a truly wonderful person and I live with regret that I lost her connection... I visit here sometimes, just to see her picture, and to wonder at her truly vibrant being that can never die as long as anyone who knew her lives.

Oh my dear friend-I am missing your passion, your humor, your wit and your generous and loving heart.  I cried at the end of watching Modigliani today because I was suddenly overwhelmed by the memories of you and missing you-how we loved anything with the gorgeous Andy Garcia in it! and you  had been the one to recommend the movie Modigliani to me all those years ago--thank you for that-it is one of my favorites!  I play the CDs you mixed for me and think of you-imagining you singing along.  How I wish I could have another laugh with you, share a secret with you, solicit some of your kindly advice or enjoy one of your outstanding, animated recitations of a favorite poem or song selection from one of your many favorite musicals!  I will love you with all my heart always and cherish all of the priceless memories of you being marvelous You!  I am so glad to have known you my dear!

jodeenie weenie ?

We were saddened to learn about Lisa's untimely death.  It is a tragedy when a young mother passes away and leaves a young child and her family.  Victor and Beryl Dahl

I have known my cousin Lisa all my life and though we could go years without seeing each other, whenever we connected it was as if we'd talked last week.

I always looked forward to our conversations and it was easy to get left behind in the repartee if you weren't paying attention.  Lisa always had three directions she could go for each next thing you said - good luck trying to keep up!  

I will miss her dearly.

   she is like few we will know
   floating through our lives
   bringing sunshine to our soul

I loved working with Lisa.  She was vibrant, funny, and smart! She advocated for my raise as a graduate assistant at the School of Social work.  She loved traveling, beauty, coffee and life.  She will always be in my fondest memories of PSU and my heart.

I am a friend from PSU and former co-worker.  Lisa was always a lot of fun and we laughed over Banner.  She always enjoyed her summer vacations but was back for more PSU adventures.

To the wonderful family and friends of Lisa...it is with sadness that I learned of her passing. Lisa will always have a special place in my heart. When I was first hired by PSU School of Social Work in 1992, Lisa was the first person that helped me find my way to the library, book store..and yes, to the coffee shops. Her office was always filled with the laughter of people breezing in and out chatting, beautiful art, candles, books and music. We exchanged gifts...I got music and books from her...I gave her rocks (agates) from the beach -  I think I got the better deal but she pretended to love those shiny rocks anyway - that's just the kind of person she was. On many an occassion one could hear Lisa conversing in French on the phone or with students in her office. She had a great laugh and people just gravitated to her. She loved her family and friends...and will be missed by many. 
In sympathy,
Vikki Vandiver (Portland, OR - PSU)

I met Lisa in the summer of 2004 when she interviewed me for a student position at the GSSW.  When she learned that I had just returned from a year in France, she proceeded to conduct the rest of the interview in French!  She loved talking about France.

Lisa is an inspiration to me.  She focused on the important things, and approached everything else with a sense of humor.  She treated everyone respectfully.  She was open-minded and fair, and advocated on behalf of the classified staff.  

When I think of her, I remember her bright and joyful spirit and abundant laughter.

Lisa was the first person I worked with at PSU during my hire in 1992.  She was also my guide during promotion and tenure.  She died much too young and we often joked about being born in the same year.  I miss her speaking French and bringing her own style to our workplace.  My sympathy to those who love her.

I met Lisa in 7th grade and from the first she was, in my eyes, a larger-than-life person (and not just because she was taller than...well...most of us).  From being with her in a skit about the Monkees in 8th grade English to seeing her on stage at Centennial she will always be someone who made life more fun just by being there.  While we lost touch after high school we reconnected when I went to the School of Social Work and found out that I was interviewing for a job with none other than Lisa! What an honor it was to find myself working with her after all those years apart.  

I'll miss going to the Candlelight with her, taking a Saturday morning stroll around the Farmers Market and hearing her latest travel adventure. I'll miss arguing with her about a line from a movie or even Shakespeare!  I didn't win often, but it was the arguing with Lisa that was the best part anyway. 

My heart goes out to Rudy and all of Lisa's family and friends.

I love you Lisa.

Lisa and i were like sisters, or so many people that experienced us together thought. we laughed, cried, danced, argued like sisters. so many memories to cherish!!

I will remember your smiles everyday when I came to work and saw you first thing in the morning.  Your love of life, kindness, and generosity of spirit touched my life. Thank you and may your spirit and soul rest in peace.  Matt Modrcin

We got the sad news while on vacation in the Maldives.  Lisa was so special to me and us - I always admired her ability to quote and her close to native ability to speak French. She helped me get my job at PSU in 1988 and working with her was so much fun.  She was the best friend everyone wants to have and epitomized joie de vivre.  I wish I had been able to at least talk to her again after she got so sick.  The world won't be the same without Lisa.  My condolences to the family, Annette Baumann with Friedrich and Sebastian, currently in Stuttgart, Germany

Before her retirement and as my own job responsibilities grew at the SSW, I began to interact with Lisa more. I can't remember how it all started, but one quiet afternoon at work we found ourselves singing The Sound of Music's "My Favorite Things," her amazing voice mingling with my out-of-tune one. I have and will always think of her when I hear that song. She will be missed; my deepest sympathies to her family.

I knew Lisa for many years at PSU. She was always upbeat. She loved to poke fun at absurdity. She was always very interested in other people as people, not just as cogs in a machine. She didn't let things get her down. I miss her. My condolences to her son and her family.

Lisa was a gem; I knew her as a colleague at the School of SW. One special memory I have relates to a book she loaned to me: Beach Music by Pat Conroy. I read in the evenings after putting my children to bed and while I read, I could hear the music from my daughter's room. To this day, the music takes me to a place of viscerally remembering the book and it always makes me think of Lisa. I am so sorry for your loss.

Lisa was office manager at the PSU School of Social Work when I was hired in summer 2002.  It was great to greet her in the morning and visit at our workplace, she always made it a pleasant day with her gentle nature and warm smiles.  She was kind and gracious.  We have missed her since her retirement, and loved hearing the stories of her travels and adventures.  During her illness we had some fun visits, playing Yatzee and Scrabble and just reminiscing and enjoying each others company.  I feel lucky to have shared her friendship.  My condolences to her family.

I remember Lisa from the School of Social Work.  She shared with me her love of music, especially world music.  Before she retired she brought in her entire music library (mostly Putamayo) to download to my I-pod.  This spoke so clearly of her generosity as well as her eagerness to share great music.  My I-Pod is a tribute to her.

Sam Gioia

Lisa was truly a Renaissance Woman. I always loved dropping by her office at the School of Social Work ... conversations ranged from music to art to (always) travel.  Though retired, she was an important part of the School for so many years.  Our sympathies ...

Lisa hired me when I arrived at PSU in 2006 and launched me into my experience with gusto! I appreciated her genuine nature and say it like it is approach. She brought laughter, art, travel, and the passion for world travel. I know how much Lisa was looking forward to retirement, I'm sorry she didn't have more time to enjoy it.  My thoughts are with those close to Lisa as you remember and honor her.

I knew Lisa back in high school and know of her PSU connection.  I am sad to see another classmate pass.  My sincere condolences go out to her family.  I am so sorry for your loss.

Dear Lisa (or Cathy) as we used to laugh about at Centennial High School.  We were in several classes together and I always appreciated your friendship and serious thoughts on our education!    You did very well and our lives did not cross again.  I wish we had kept in contact, but life got in the way.  Thank you for being a positive light in my life!  See you in Heaven!

To Rudy, Jean and all the famiily,  Lisa's passing is a shock, and I offer prayers and deep sympathy to you at her loss.  Lisa was my student at PSU as well as Dept Secretary for Foreign Languages and Literatures.  She was outstanding in every way, capable, gracious, dedicated, gifted.  Rudy was the center of her life and she was so proud of you. Her dedication, friendship and loyalty are a model for us all and her legacy to us.  She was a truly, strong and beautiful woman whose loss truly saddens me.

Dear Aunts, Uncles and Cousins, you have my deepest sympathy.  My memories of her are so vivid. You knew when she entered the room she was so vivacious.  Her spirit was contagious - the love, the joy and the strength she shared. See you soon, all my love. 
Tara II

tara...i was so sorry to learn of the loss of your sister lisa..my condolences to you and your whole family...never met her but i am sure she was every bit the lady you are....my prayers and thoughts are with you all my friend ...sim chapman

i remember lisa as the cousin who always wanted to challenge me mentally.  i always looked forward to seeing and talking to lisa, she was very interesting and full of experience.  My prayers and thoughts go out to the family.

I am so very sorry for your loss, we graduated from Centennial HS together and always had such a beautiful great smile.  Lisa was a very warm and gentle person in which I admired, friend of many.
My sincere condolences,
Lynne (Farris) Cigler

Our deepest sympathies to Lisa's children, mother, sisters and brothers. Lisa was a very special person and was loved by many. You are all in our prayers.
cousin tony

I got the news today from my sister Lynda, and it is very, very sad. Lisa was very special to all of us cousins, and she will be missed. To Aunt Jean, Duncan, Malcomb, Tara, Keri, Ginny and Lisa's children Saray, Andy and Rudy our deepest sympathies and you will all be in our prayers. 
cousin tony.....

I remember Lisa as a very kind and affectionate woman. She was very easy to talk to and always had time to listen. I knew her while she and Chris Hertel were together. She and Rudy came to PSU every Sunday morning to watch as Chris and the gang played b-ball. That took dedication! No other wives or girl friends ever did that. I've been keeping up with her battles with health through Chris and was so sorry to hear about her downward spiral fighting the disease. Now she no longer has to live in pain but will be truly missed by all the lives she has touched. I hope everyone close to her will be strong in her passing, she set a great example in how to live a good life. Hope we meet again!

Dear Duncan, 
 I saw your Sister's obituary in the Oregonian this morning, and just wanted to say I'm so sorry for your loss.  Although I never met Lisa, if she's anything like you, that's very special.
I hope and pray for your comfort and healing, for your family, and all of Lisa's friends and family too.

Your Friend,
John Jahns,
PSU 1966-71

My dear most generous loving friend-thank you for your love, your wisdom, your humor, your tough love when I needed it and for being such a great role model for living life to the fullest-and loving fully.  I love you forever ?.

To R and R-may you find comfort in your memories and know that you are always surrounded by her light and love.  

prayers & hugs

OBITUARY

Lisa Catherine Vuksich

April 23, 1954 – December 30, 2011

Ross Hollywood Chapel

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