Elisabeth Marie "LIS" Stork Saya

1948 - 2020

Elisabeth Marie "LIS" Stork Saya obituary, 1948-2020, Juneau, AK

BORN

1948

DIED

2020

Elisabeth Stork Saya Obituary

Elisabeth "Lis" Marie Stork Saya was born in Pittsburg, PA on the 17th of November, 1948. She died, after a long courageous struggle with cancer, at home on the afternoon of August 24th, 2020.
It is difficult to sum up the life of someone so colorful and flamboyant, so extraordinary friendly and cheerful, so kind and gentle and so full of life. When she walked into a room with her infectious laugh and smile, she lit the room up instantly. She always dressed colorfully and was the friendly artist/musician that everyone called their friend. She had an insatiable appetite for music. Anyone who knew her quickly realized that she always had time for one more tune.
Hers was no ordinary life. Shortly after Lis was born, the family moved from Pittsburg to Bryn Mawr, PA. Her family was very musical. Both parents played piano and the children used to fall asleep to the sound of fourhand piano duets being played on the old upright piano. The children learned folk songs at an early age. They would often stand behind their father and sing harmony while he played piano. They would sing rounds and songs while riding in the family station wagon. The family moved several times and in 1963 they moved from Bryn Mawr, PA to Chevy Chase, MD where Lis graduated from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in 1966. Lis travelled to Europe in the summer of 1966 with her older sister and friends. She stayed on in France afterwards to study French literature at the Universite Grenoble. She came back to the states to finish her studies at Boston University, graduating in 1971. Lis spoke fluent French and enjoyed reading French literature throughout her life. Shortly after graduation she met and married Vincent Daniel Saya. Vince and Lis moved to Atlin, British Columbia and then to Haines, AK and eventually to Juneau in 1977. With Vince she had two sons, Aengus and Leif. Vince and Lis parted company shortly after Leif's birth. In 1983 she met and fell in love with Greg McLaughlin, a concertina player, who would become her lifelong partner and together they raised the two boys. Together, they shared a deep love of traditional Irish music. Lis and Greg were inseparable, they promoted and organized concerts, started musical groups, wrote books and traveled extensively to Ireland, England, Scotland, France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Iceland, Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. Lis had the ability to make friends wherever she went. Someone once said "Give Lis 5 minutes of your time and she will become your best friend". Lis taught for the Head Start program in Juneau for 30 years. Her favorite times at Head Start were cooking for the children and circle time (when they would all sing). Lis was always ready to play a tune or meet a new friend. She was adopted into the Tlingit community by her "sister" Helen Watkins of the thunderbird clan. Lis was heavily involved in the community as part of the symphony choir, Bach Society, Saturday Plein Rein art group, French circle, contra dance community, Wednesday night old time jam, highland dance community and beading circle, just to mention a few. Lis could often be seen at symphony performances, theater, opera, folk concerts, art shows or in the lobby at the Folk Festival jamming with other musicians. She loved to play for the contra dances when given the opportunity. Lis lived her life to the fullest. She travelled, she dreamed, she worked, she played, she fell down and picked herself back up again with a smile on her face. Even when diagnosed with cancer, she faced the end of life with dignity, grace, integrity and courage.
Lis is proceeded in death by her father, George Fredrick Stork and her mother, Mary Ernestine Weber Stork. She is survived by her husband and partner of 37 years Greg McLaughlin and her two sons Aengus and Leif, her three sisters Cathy Waters of Fairfield, PA, Lyrinda Snyderman of Berkeley, CA, Diana Stork of Berkeley, CA and her brother David Stork of Portola Valley, CA, her granddaughter, Ysabella Healey of Sturgeon Bay, WI and her former husband Vince Saya of Mammoth Lakes, CA.
Memorial service has been delayed due to Covid, but we are looking forward to celebrating her life at a time when we can all play music and hold each other again. It is the way she would have liked it to be.
A memorial fund has been set up in her name for a scholarship to send a child to Ireland to study traditional Irish music. Donations can be made to the Lis Saya Memorial Fund c/o Northrim Bank, Juneau, AK 99801.

Published by Juneau Empire from Sep. 25 to Oct. 24, 2020.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

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Memories and Condolences
for Elisabeth Stork Saya

Not sure what to say?





Lis was one of the first people I met when I arrived in town 35 years ago. I had stopped for hot chocolate one cold, snowy and blustery day at the old Orpheum where she and Greg were along with Buddy, Franz, Tracy and Cyndy. The place was toasty and the air was sweet and full of music. From the very start I knew that Lis was special and over the years she became only more memorable. We will never forget her. One of the reasons that I know that Juneau will never become quite `normal´ again Is because Lis is gone.

Elva

Friend

September 24, 2022

Her gifted Art hangs on my wall reminding me of Her incredible Spirit of Community and Generosity

Tim Jenkins

September 21, 2022

Grandma Lis was unique and special in the very best way. She was the best grandma and when I think about how amazing she was it makes me sad because she’s not around anymore, but then I remember how lucky I am that I had her for 11 years of my life she was an awesome grandmother and I have so many great memories of her. It is so sad that she died because she was so happy, amazing, special, and just joyful.

RIP

Ysa C

Grandchild

May 14, 2021

I love you so much and I’m so happy that I had you as my grandma you were amazing. I remember going to plein rain with you painting and eating cinnamon rolls, Thank you for all the art you taught me, I loved playing pick up sticks with you this summer thanks for everything.

I hope we can someday play pick up sticks in heaven together once again RIP.

YC

Grandchild

April 3, 2021

I am so sad to hear of Lis's passing. A few years ago I was privileged to spend some weekly Irish sessions at her and Greg's home near Lemon Creek with Henry and sometimes Leif. She was just the most gracious, fun and lovely person who also knew a whole lot of tunes.
I hope you are fiddlin' away somewhere, Lis. Rest in Peace.

Kris Mccune

Friend

January 1, 2021

"Christmas is a time of year; a time for joy, a time for cheer
..." written by our father as a prayer or grace. I miss my sister Lis and am really glad to have so many good memories of her to reflect on during this tender time of year.

CATHY

Sister

December 22, 2020

Memory is where those gone still live on.
Memory Eternal

Shaun McMahon

Friend

November 15, 2020

So sorry to hear that Elisabeth Saya has died. Lis was a wonderful person. She had such a kind spirit and so much passion for life and of course was a wonderful musician. I enjoyed having her as part of the French club I belonged to and the heartfelt conversations I had with her. This poem, written by Mary Elizabeth Frye seems fitting:
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Justine Bishop

Friend

October 24, 2020

Just off the plane, first time in Alaska, on a very wet blustery chilling night heading for the Fest in Town, hitchhiking bringing no luck. stepped into a restaurant to get some relief from the weather. Drinking coffee in a booth, Lis approached and as those who know her can imagine, a lively conversation blossomed and her boundless generosity shone forth....I spent a dry night in the warm little cabin adjacent to her home. The wonderful time at the Festival was in big part due to Lis, Greg, Leif and the Juneau community. I Just found out and I am very sad

Tim Jenkins

Friend

October 13, 2020

I am truly honored to call Lis my sister AND my friend. I miss her but I feel she is a deep part of me forever. In so many things I do, I feel her presence: looking at the mountains, enjoying a cup of coffee, even the "Legacy" she has left of posing with our hands in a photo, especially a proud peace sign with two strong fingers held up; this brings a smile. She has reached with joy of effort and touched so many, I really can not say enough to "sing" her praises. Please add comments, she would love that.

Cathy

Sister

September 30, 2020

So cheerful, caring, artsy, beloved by all of us. It is heartbreaking to lose my friend since high school.

Page Bridges

Friend

September 30, 2020

Grand lover of life and music- enthusiastic, smiling, open- she will be missed and not forgotten.

Kevin Carr

Friend

September 29, 2020

We loved Lis very much and have very very happy memories of her from our years living in Juneau from 1995 to 2003. Lis loved music and musicians and would be at every music session, dance, or performance that was held in Juneau. A new musician in town was greeted and be-friended by Lis instantly. And then she would proceed to introduce that musician to everyone she knew. At jam sessions she was the one who would be Kind enough to shout out the chords for beginners so they could play along too. It is true that Lis lived life to the fullest and found the good, the joy, and positivity in everything and everyone she encountered. It is also true that she is the one at the jam sessions who stayed until the end, always wanting to
play one more tune! There were a couple of times at our downtown Juneau house we had to gently tell her it was time to go home now because it was late and we had to go to bed! Lol!
We loved her very much and will never forget her, her dear family Greg, Leif, and Aengus, and her kindness to us
years in Juneau.

Sheri Hazeltine

Friend

September 29, 2020

Aengus, Leif, Greg, family & friends, I am sorry for your loss. Les was a wonderful woman. She loved all of you deeply. She was a fantastic musician. I always enjoyed talking with her. The years you boys were at Harborview School will always be remembered by me. Your mom kept me up on both of you throughout your High School years & then when you were grown & on your own. I so much enjoyed all your music. All of you are in my thoughts & prayers. Marti

Marti Ward Bernardez

Friend

September 28, 2020

My condolences to the family . May you find comfort in your treasured memories
and Gods promise to return our loved ones . 1st Thessalonians 4 : 13 & 14 .

September 27, 2020

I only had the pleasure of knowing her briefly, through mutual friends. so like her, a friend of a friend. I met her way back, in the 70's in my teens, and again in the mid 80's. she always remembered me, and we would catch up and recall our mutual friends. I always walked away smiling, she just had that ability to your entire day a good one.

laura ryan

Friend

September 25, 2020

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