Lisa Savinainen

1968 - 2023

1968–2023

Our hearts are broken as we announce the passing of our dear Lisa, at the age of 54, on Friday, January 27, surrounded by family. Lisa was the first grandchild to be welcomed in to the Lorentson clan on May 14, 1968. She was born with the innate desire to be busy and to get things done.

Lisa began her part-time working career at the age of 15 and continued to work in various jobs while going to school. She became a qualified swimming instructor, worked with children through the City of Thunder Bay's Parks and Rec summer programs and loved working with the children at LACL (Lakehead Association for Community Living). Lisa attended Hillcrest High School and continued on to graduate from Lakehead University with BA and B.Ed degrees in 1991. She began her first year of teaching in Rainy River and then continued on teaching in various schools with the Lakehead Public School Board, the last several years at Five Mile School. Lisa was proud of her students and was always creating ways to make their learning an interesting and relevant experience. She paid special attention to the individual needs and abilities in each of her students and recognized and celebrated all their successes.

Lisa also managed to take five years off during this time to create her own business, Lisa's Grooming on the Go. Her entrepreneurial skills surfaced when she purchased a vehicle which she had converted into a grooming salon. She travelled around the community to people's homes and groomed dogs of all sizes and personalities. Lisa was a natural with animals. She loved them and they all loved her.

Although Lisa faced many tough challenges and struggles throughout her short life, she also had the determination, the strength and the courage to confront and navigate each and every one. Lisa was gifted with the ability to turn a seemingly impossible situation into a possible solution. If she thought it was the right thing to do, she found a way to get it done. Lisa loved to create and do things with her boys, nieces and nephews. From a very young age she would gather them all to perform a song, a skit or a poem that she had created for them to entertain at every family gathering.

Above all, Lisa valued her time spent with her husband, Reijo and was especially proud of her two boys, Tyler and Mikke. Their country home was a special place to gather family and friends and, in 2015, their camp became their second home where they enjoyed all kinds of activities together. Lisa always had a special bond with her animals. Spending time and playing with her Westies Heather and Loki, her Lab Forest, and her cats Bentley and Frosty brought true joy to her soul.

Lisa is predeceased by her first husband and Tyler's father, Joe Cassidy, grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins. Lisa is survived and will be forever missed by her husband Reijo, sons Tyler and Mikke, parents Shelby and Garry Lorentson, brother Glen (Leanne), sister Karen Stewart (Dave), mother-in-law Sirkka, sister-in-law Kaija (Jim), aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family extends special thanks to Dr. Stuart Kennedy who has been our family doctor for many years. Thank you also to Dr. Brown and the nursing team for the care they provided in ICU.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a celebration of life for Lisa at The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 5, 229 Van Norman St. Wednesday, February 8 from 4 to 6:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to Kitty Kare Thunder Bay c/o 333 Brunswick St. S., Thunder Bay, ON P7E 1W7, www.kittykare2010.org, Thunder Bay District Humane Society, 1535 Rosslyn Rd., Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6W2, www.tbdhs.ca or a Charity of Your Choice would be appreciated.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpler Times Cremation Centre, 575 Central Avenue, Thunder Bay.

Lisa, you remain in all of our hearts forever.

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