LISA GAIL BAKER

Condolences & Memories (13 entries)

• Gone too soon. Condolences from Lynne and I with hopes for strength at this difficult time. We pray for fond memories to help heal, as we have found. - Posted by: Ross Thompson (Colleauge) on: Oct 05, 2024

• I was lucky enough to go to nursing school at St Boniface with Lisa. We were a close group of friends that laughed a lot, got stressed out a lot, and made the most of our two years together. Lisa always brought laughter to the stressful situations that helped us to get through them with a smile. Although I haven't seen Lisa for many years I can imagine her loss is leaving a crater sized hole in your life. She was a ray of sunshine and always found the good in everything. My heart goes out to you for your great loss.. - Posted by: Jan-Marie Morgan (Nursing School Classmate) on: Oct 02, 2024

• I have thought a lot about what to say, but how can I pick a few memories of a friend who played a major role in most of my happiest childhood and young adult memories. Although I haven’t seen Lisa for probably the last 20 years, she often pops into my thoughts as I encounter something that jogs a memory. I have tried to track Lisa down on-line as I knew she was married, a dialysis nurse and a mother to a son but had her home town wrong, I see now. I was still certain that we would catch up one day. I decided to share a memory of the epic snow storm of 1986. I’m sure most people remained cozy and warm at home but not us, we headed out to a Social across town in St. James. It wasn’t the first time we braved a blizzard to get to a Social though. It once took us three hours to drive to U of M for a Halloween Social but we didn't care because we lucked out with an extra hour of fun for daylight savings time. Sorry I digress, back to the 1986 storm. That evening as we made our way to the social our car got stuck several times. Since I was wearing shoes and Lisa was wearing the boots and she was nicer one, she would get out and push us. These were main roadways and yes we should have turned around and headed back home but we pressed onward and eventually made it to the social. We however did not make it home after the social but stayed somewhere much better, Lisa’s grandma’s apartment. For the next two days we enjoyed being spoiled rotten. Lisa’s grandma already knew all our favorite diet foods, yes we were usually on some diet, because during grade twelve we went there every Friday for our three hour lunch break. The moral of this story being, we were not quitters and Grandma's is where you want to go in a snow storm. I hate this news so much as I know everyone does but from reading everyone’s post, I see Lisa had many people who loved and cared about her. She had a fulfilling career and many fun activities that she enjoyed in her community. She was most deserving of it all! I could be a tough friend but she put up with me and made my life fun and full. Lisa you will always have a place in my heart and mind. Good bye my dear friend. ❤️ - Posted by: Cindy Lach (Friend) on: Oct 02, 2024

• Our hearts are broken at the loss of our beloved Lisa. A great friend and a huge part of our lives for over 30 years. We mourn her passing alongside the Baker, McDonald, Ellis and Broschuk families. We will keep her memory alive by always remembering all the great times we had together over the years with dinners, festive holidays, family celebrations, games, etc. Lisa (aka “Julie the cruise director”) was always organizing events/games/activities and she always had a huge smile on her face. She was also so, so proud of Mitch and all his accomplishments. We are all so lucky to have had her in our lives. She will truly be missed. Rest in peace Lisa. Cheryl and Adrian. - Posted by: Cheryl and Adrian (Friends) on: Sep 30, 2024

• Grant and Mitch - we are in utter shock and disbelief to hear the news of Lisa's passing. We know of no one with the infectious laugh and huge, warm, welcoming smile, like that of Lisa. We hope in time you will be able to focus on happy memories of her rather than on an incredible wife and mother whose life was unfairly cut way too short. To Lisa - the only person who truly understood the meaning of "feeling your hair grow" when entering a warm climate during a winter vacation flight. May your eternal resting place be one that excludes humidity :) .....our hearts are breaking. Love Kelly (comrade in the curly hair club), Blaine, Matea & Eevee too. - Posted by: Kelly Derksen (Friend) on: Sep 27, 2024

• Lisa was my sorority sister. We were a part of each other’s lives when we were young and hair was big!! She was close with my whole family back then. We went on sorority road trips together and danced the night away at formals, frat parties and greek events. Many all nighters were pulled off together. I remember our road trip to L.A. On the way back from California, Lisa was driving while the rest of us were sleeping when she discreetly made a detour back to Las Vegas. She went back to buy the lime green off the shoulder sweater from Sak’s that she regretted not buying when we stayed a night there on the way down! Somewhere on that road trip Lisa bought a ukulele and was super keen to play it in the car to pass the time away. We had to enforce a one song rule on our mixed road trip tape that she could play it to (Counting Flowers on the Wall) so the rest of us could get some peace and quiet! Over the years we realized Lisa knew (and liked to belt out) the lyrics to countless songs, from country and western classics, to Frank Sinatra hits, Broadway show tunes and all the Alpha Delta Pi songs. Lisa had a zest for life, fun and adventure. Hearing about her passing has brought back so many wonderful memories of her. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends. Carol Drosdowech - Posted by: Carol Drosdowech (Sorority Sister) on: Sep 23, 2024

• Lisa’s love for Mitchell and Grant was as immense as her beautiful smile. I am so grateful for our friendship that was made through a shared love of running. I am shocked to hear of her tragic loss. My family’s love is with yours during this difficult time. - Posted by: Darcy Grosney (Friend) on: Sep 22, 2024

• Dear Bill, Sophie, Wendy and JoAnna, I was so, so sorry to hear of this tragic loss for your family. I have only happy memories of our childhood on Ralph Ave and your family was such an important part of those days. It was clear how close your family was and how much fun you had together. May you find comfort in your many family memories. With sincerest condolences, Colleen Einarson - Posted by: Colleen Einarson (Former neighbour) on: Sep 22, 2024

• My condolences to all of Lisa’s family and friends. Mitch and Grant, please know Robb and I are keeping you in our prayers. Lisa really was one of a kind. I first met Lisa when she started in the dialysis unit at HSC many many years ago. And then I was lucky enough to work with her again when the Gimli dialysis unit opened. She loved working in that unit. I think her most favourite thing about working there was the Christmas party she planned for the patients each year. Especially the Christmas bingo. Lisa had an infectious laugh, and over the years there were a lot of shenanigans. One of my most favourite memories of Lisa is when we were planning a work Christmas party at HSC. It was at Legion Hall, and Lisa had a vision, but she made Solita and I fulfil her vision. All we had to do is cover up a few bingo boards, cover up some dart boards, just use some crêpe paper and decorations, and it’ll be beautiful 🤣Well sure enough it was. We brought Lisa’s vision to life. I’m really gonna miss you my friend❤️. - Posted by: Marilyn Muir (Friend ) on: Sep 21, 2024

• Lisa made my dialysis treatments so much better with her outgoing and cheerful personality! Our deepest condolences to her loved ones. The world has lost a beautiful spirit. Darlene and Debra - Posted by: Darlene Morrow and Debra (Dialysis patient) on: Sep 21, 2024

• Lisa was absolutely magical and made those around her feel special. We started in the HSC dialysis unit a year apart and instantly connected. Lisa had a way of making the most stressful situations more tolerable. We shared many laughs together with our colleagues, a nursing team that remains unmatched to any I’ve worked with since. She encouraged me to start running and we both trained and ran the Manitoba Marathon in 2002 (I did the half, she did the full). We remained connected even after I moved to Ontario and continued to share stories and experiences including our mutual love of air fryer recipes and hair products for curly haired girls. She loved telling me about Mitch and his musical talents and how proud she was of him. I will forever cherish the laughs and magical moments we shared. - Posted by: Solita Crispin (HSC Nursing Friend) on: Sep 21, 2024

• Grant and Mitch, I am so sorry about Lisa’s passing. She was very special to many and will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Her smile was as big as her hair, and I say this knowing her reply as “I’m owning it”. Her personality and heart were just as big. If you needed anything there was a good chance she had it in the car and would be proud and happy that she was able to help out. Cheers to Lisa (with a Diet Coke in hand). Know that you left this world having made a difference in many people’s lives. God speed - Posted by: Abby (Colleague ) on: Sep 21, 2024

• Our deepest condolences to Grant and Mitch. Lisa was a wonderful nurse and colleague. She will be missed. Sandra, Joey and Ryan Litwin - Posted by: Sandra Litwin (Colleague) on: Sep 21, 2024