Lisa Beth Lennon of Grand Rapids passed away peacefully on March 3 at Valley View Care Center. Heaven gained a new angel and Lisa is now reunited with Mom and Dad.
Lisa was born on September 1, 1964, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. She was the sixth of seven children from Donald E. Lennon and Frances (Schmidt) Lennon who preceded her in death. Lisa is survived by her siblings, Katie, John, Joe, Jim, Pat, and Jean. Lisa was the center of our family, and she helped us all stay grounded and together in spirit and purpose for all of these years. We learned a lot from that little angel.
Lisa loved her family, food, and music. Her life revolved around them. Nothing gave Lisa more pleasure than a holiday dinner surrounded by family and friends, with delicious food, music, and laughter. We can all still picture her drinking a glass of after dinner frozen Crème de menthe from the back of her wrist along with Jim Gardiner. Lisa knew how to party!
Lisa spent many happy years at Lincoln School where she enjoyed singing and playing the lead role in the production of Annie. It helped that her perm and hair color made a costume unnecessary. Post Lincoln, Lisa matriculated to Hope Network where she was gainfully employed for many years. Lisa wasn’t fast at anything but eating, but she was meticulous. During those years we were concerned that the IRS would audit Lisa if they saw her paychecks, showing over 30 hours worked and a payment of only $1.17.
Lisa was a Special Olympian in numerous Games. Her most noted achievement was during the 40-yard dash when she stopped midway down the track to pull up her socks and half the field stopped and waited for her. That’s the spirit that makes those Olympics so great!
Lisa Beth had a great sense of humor and was a rather accomplished practical joker. Brother Jim would ask, who’s your favorite brother? Lisa would go through a list of the entire family, relatives, and the neighbor’s dog before getting around to him. Lisa saw our cousin Mike Lennon once in his Police uniform, and years later when she would see Mike, she would raise her arms and say don’t shoot. Lisa loved going to Uncle Bob’s cottage on Murray Lake to see all of her Lennon relatives, eat great food, and go on boat rides captained by Bob or her cousins Mike and Dan. Lisa loved the Schmidt and Lennon family reunions and weddings, and was always first in line for cake.
Lisa’s Aunt Marie and Uncle Esko Berggren were especially close to Lisa and visited weekly. Marie gave her the nickname Lilliput which became enshrined in stories and song. After Esko passed away, whenever his name came up, Lisa would say demurely, he’s a Ghost.
Lisa loved music! From infancy, through each stage in her life, music was a defining and integral part of her being. From rocking and bobbing to the beat of the 60’s, to becoming an air drummer aficionado and a true lover of 70’s Rock & Roll. She spent hours in the basement with Joe, listening to The Eagles, The Who, Doobie Brothers, Loggins and Messina, Spirit, Fleetwood Mac and countless others while playing her imaginary drum kit. She could name the band and song after hearing just a couple of notes. When “her” Mom, complained about the loud music and Joe wore headphones, Lisa would lay next to him with her ear against the plastic. Years later, her nieces and nephews recalled Lisa always wearing her Walkman and waving a drumstick or a small flag to the beat of her music. Lisa was so fun, and the kids loved her because she had cool stuff and liked cartoons, Silly Putty, and Slinkys even more than they did.
Lisa Beth will always be our Lilliput. She was a wonderful sister, and we were so lucky to have her in our lives. Her good humor, kindness, and love of all the world around her brings us tears of joy.
The family would like to thank the staff and residents of Valley View Care Center for being like a second family and taking such good care of Lisa for the last number of years. We also send out accolades to Emmanuel Hospice for the great job they did communicating with the family (Katie) and keeping Lisa comfortable and cared for. Great Thanks!
Lisa was preceded in death by her parents, Frances Jean (Schmidt) 9/27/99, and Donald Edward Lennon 7/23/06. She is survived by her sisters Katie Lennon Tuttle, Patricia Peck (Don), Jean McNally (John), and brothers, John Lennon (Christy), Joe Lennon, and Jim Lennon.
A celebration of life will be held on April 5th at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 1935 Plymouth Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506. Visitation at 10:00 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Valley View Care Center, 1050 4 Mile Rd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544.