I remember Lisa so fondly as a child and young adult growing up in Laurelton. Lisa's parents Gwen and Phil were my parents friends for many years( Hilda and Harry Kirsch)... I am quite nostalgic and tend to google people as my thoughts go back to " days gone by". Coincidentally, my husband Warren and I have a second home in Becket Ma. I googled Lisa and was so terribly saddened to learn of her passing. I remember Lisa as an upbeat, funny, bright and beautiful woman. Lisa absolutely made a mark on my heart. Sending deepest sympathies to Lisa's family .
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Dear Eric and Michael,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss - the loss of your wonderful and amazing Mother. Although our history goes way back to your very early days in Greenwich Village, I did continue to visit with Lisa whenever I visited in the Berkshires and she visited New York.
In particular, Eric I remember the wonderful times we had when you lived here frolicking and playing with Cara, which continued when you first moved to Great Barrington . But the thing I always remember and cherish about Lisa, no matter how difficult and stressful life was - her amazing sense of humor shone through! What a gift. I will miss her.
I wish you both peace and comfort going forward.
Judith Rustin
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Due to a medical issue, I am, unfortunately, unable to attend today’s memorial service for Lisa. However, I would like to share a couple of thoughts.
Lisa was a very special woman and a joy to work with. I remember getting a phone call many years ago from the Principal of the Lenox Elementary School, mentioning that there was a part-time teacher who had recently moved to Berkshire County from New York who was really, really good. He mentioned that there were no fulltime positions available in Lenox and that it was a shame Lisa did not have a fulltime teaching position. As it turned out, we were looking for a fourth grade teacher, and I remember Lisa coming up for her demonstration lesson. Needless to say, her connection with the children, confidence with her lesson, and positive personality made it instantly clear to the hiring committee that she was special. There are many many children who benefited from their contact with her.
Now, as many of us know, Lisa had a tendency to get extremely involved with her work. There were many days when she did not leave school until late in the evening. Well, this turned out to be a problem when we moved to the new building and a timer was set up so that the doors of the school would automatically lock at 11:00. One evening, while going into my second or third hour of sleep at home, the phone rang. It was Lisa, sounding a bit concerned, but with a chuckle in her voice, informing me that she just realized that it was past 11:00 and she was still in her classroom. To make a long story short, Lisa did somehow make it home that night.
A wonderful educator with a fabulous sense-of-humor. Lisa Shannon will always have a special place in my heart. She made this a better world.
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1998, Great Barrington, MA, USA
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Dear Michael and Eric,
When your mom applied for a teaching postion at the Williamstown Elementary school back in 1991, the selection committee knew immediately from looking at her background and letter of application that she was surely the person we wanted at our school. Most certainly, as a teacher and colleague, she exceeded even our highest expectations.
She was a wonderful teacher and added light and cheer to our staff.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss but I know that memories of your Mom are cherished by many: former students, parents, colleagues and friends.
It was my good fortune to have worked with Lisa for many years.
Paul Jennnings
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Lisa was my first cousin. She was such a special person; kind and gentle. In later years I hadn't seen Lisa as I was living in New Mexico. However, I have such wonderful memories of her. One time, at the Mills house in Hempstead, she, my sister and I were citing all the things about our bodies that we didn't like. We laughed so hard my sides were hurting. One thing about Lisa was that she was not comfortable about entertaining. One time, when she lived in the West Village in NYC, she was stressed about company that was coming so I was helping her cook and prepare. She had ordered some things to serve from an outside source, one of which was a beautiful form with little things stuck in it to nibble on as an appetizer. She was embarrassed to say that she had ordered it, so she told everyone that I had made it. And then, of course, they wanted to know how I had done it. I don't remember what I answered, but to this day I smile whenever I think of that. There was nothing she wouldn't have done for you. I was blessed to have had Lisa in my life. Condolences to her family and to all those who loved her. And a special "woof" to Molly, who I know may miss her the most.
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I spent a lot of time in the Mills Hempstead household as a little kid and cousin/neighbor Lisa was one of my favorite people. She was always so kind to me — and tons of fun. Then, when I was eleven (1966) and at the peak of my obsession with sports cars, Lisa appeared at a Mills holiday dinner with a brand new, red 1965 Mustang. At that moment she ascended to rock star status in my mind, where she dwelled forevermore. I wish I got to spend more time with her as as an adult, but feel so fortunate to have felt her radiance as a little kid. My deepest sympathy to you, Eric and Michael, for your loss. Your Mom's memory is and will be a blessing for so many of us.
—Stephen Mills
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