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Lisa Gimlett Obituary
Fort Collins - Lisa Marie Gimlett (June 21, 1959 - November 30, 2019)
In eternal memory of a loving mother, wife, daughter, sister, and extraordinary teacher of children. Lisa embraced her family, friends, and elementary pupils with patience, empathetic listening, and unconditional love. Lisa always made everyone she was with feel important, was unfailingly kind, and looked for the best in all things. Her family was her world and she cherished them beyond measure. She had an avid love for nature, finding rejuvenation in camping, hiking, and the great outdoors. Good music, books, volleyball, and travel were among her favorite pastimes. Lisa also was proficient with power tools, having nearly single-handedly renovated her historic home.
Born in Reno, Nevada, Lisa and her family put down roots in Pasadena, California, where she graduated as valedictorian of Pasadena High School, marched in the Rose Bowl Parade with the school band, and was active in track and other athletics. She was awarded a prestigious AFS scholarship to become a global citizen, which allowed her to spend a summer in Malaysia. This and graduating from one of the first integrated high schools in Los Angeles sowed the seeds for a life-long commitment to social justice.
Lisa's passion for early childhood education (ECE) began early, first with "teaching" her baby brother Michael and then with degrees in ECE from California State University-San Luis Obispo and the University of Minnesota. Her longest teaching stints were in Fort Collins, first in CSU's Early Childhood Center and later at Dunn Elementary School, where she taught first grade and was a highly regarded International Baccalaureate trainer. One could not walk around Old Town without Lisa being mobbed by past and present students, which unfailingly elicited her infectious laugh and warm hugs.
Lisa passed away six years after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. She is survived by her husband David MacPhee; her two sons, Travis (TJ) Gainley (Caroline) and Dustin (Dusty) Gainley (Ashley), and her stepdaughter Darcy MacPhee (Eric Jacobson); father Jim Gimlett; brothers James (Maggie Gallivan), Danny (Barbi), and Michael Gimlett; sister Manon Gimlett (Thaxter Cunio); aunt Sherrie; mother-in-law Carolyn MacPhee; one granddaughter Clare with two more on the way; and three nieces and nephews. Her mother, Van, preceded her in death. A celebration of life will be held at the Fort Collins Lincoln Center, Canyon West ballroom, on March 14 at 1:00. Please consider making a donation to your local Alzheimer's Association or the Early Childhood Council of Larimer County.
Lisa was a ray of light, kindness and love in our lives. She will be forever in our hearts and deeply missed by all. Please visit www.goesfuneralcare.com to share memories and condolences with Lisa's family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Lisa Gimlett
Sponsored by Goes Funeral Care & Crematory - Fort Collins.
John L. Work
January 3, 2022
Lisa was one of my students in the Pasadena High School Orchestra during the 1973-74 school year. Along with her sister, Leslie, Lisa decided she also wanted to play in the PHS band. During the summer of 1974 I taught her how to play the French Horn. Leslie learned to play the slide trombone. Neither of the two had ever played a brass instrument before that. In that short time, both sisters became very accomplished with their new musical instrumental instruments and played in the marching band the following Autumn.
Lisa was an extraordinary person and a wonderful musician. I am saddened to learn of her death. I shall not forget her.
Erin Fisher
January 16, 2021
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
I remember growing up and playing together with all the Gimlets. You were our second family. Lisa was a terrific lady. I wanted to be just her.
Sending hugs and prayers.
Kathy Woodcock (Shimizu)
March 13, 2020
My name is Kathy Woodcock (maiden name Shimizu). I just found out today from Andrea Goodman that Lisa had passed away. We were in the marching band at Pasadena High School with Lisa. In our senior year, Lisa was President of the band and I was Vice President. I have such good memories of Lisa. Lisa was a special person. She was kind and friendly to everyone. We also had a tennis class together at PCC. I was trying to contact her through Facebook within the last year. I wished I had kept in contact with her. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. But I will always cherish my memories of Lisa. May God comfort you all.
March 13, 2020
My name is Kathy Woodcock (maiden name Shimizu). I just found out today from Andrea Goodman that Lisa had passed away. We were in the marching band at Pasadena High School with Lisa. In our senior year, Lisa was President of the band and I was Vice President. I have such good memories of Lisa. Lisa was a special person. She was kind and friendly to everyone. We also had a tennis class together at PCC. I was trying to contact her through Facebook within the last year. I wished I had kept in contact with her. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. But I will always cherish my memories of Lisa.
Belinda Barnes
January 22, 2020
My heart goes out to family and friends. Lisa was a favorite volleyball teammate in her MN days.
Thoughts & Prayers...
Barnie
Bee Keng Sia
January 4, 2020
My deepest condolences to the family of Lisa Gimlett. My family hosted Lisa as a American Field Service exchange student in the small town of Raub, State of Pahang in Malaysia. Lisa easily adapted into our family and was much loved by us. She was excited to learn about our culture just as much as we about hers.
I remember how she hated durians at first and said it smelled like dirty socks. She saw how much we love durians and each time we ate, she persisted to eat as well and eventually she grew to like durians too!
She had a tough time learning to eat noodles with chopsticks. We had a good laugh each time she brought the noodles closed to her mouth and the next second the noodles just slips away.
She adapted well in school too and took part in many activities. She was adventurous and went swimming in rivers and waterfalls. She had a ready smile for everyone and was much loved by her fellow students.
I am glad I had the opportunity to meet up with Lisa and her family in Pasadena on my 1st trip to US in the late 70s.
To her family, I feel sorry for your loss. Take care and God bless.
Bee Keng Sia
January 4, 2020
My deepest condolences to the family of Lisa Gimlett. My family hosted Lisa as a American Field Service exchange student in the small town of Raub, State of Pahang in Malaysia. Lisa easily adapted into our family and was much loved by us. She was excited to learn about our culture just as much as we about hers.
I remember how she hated durians at first and said it smelled like dirty socks. She saw how much we love durians and each time we ate, she persisted to eat as well and eventually she grew to like durians too!
She had a tough time learning to eat noodles with chopsticks. We had a good laugh each time she brought the noodles closed to her mouth and the next second the noodles just slips away.
She adapted well in school too and took part in many activities. She was adventurous and went swimming in rivers and waterfalls. She had a ready smile for everyone and was much loved by her fellow students.
I am glad I had the opportunity to meet up with Lisa and her family in Pasadena on my 1st trip to US in the late 70s.
To her family, I feel sorry for your loss. Take care and God bless.
Anthony Chong
January 4, 2020
My deepest condolences to the family of Lisa. Her friends in Malaysia are all very sad to learn of her passing. She was a lovely and kind person.
SAKTHIVEAL LAKSHAMANAN
January 3, 2020
The year 1976 batch of students from Mahmud Secondary School , Raub , Pahang, Malaysia would like to send their deepest sympathies and condolences to Lisa' family. It was with sadness and shock that a fellow classmate Allen J come upon her obituary while he was tracing her to communicate.
During her AFS sojourn here in June/July 1976, she was hosted by our classmate Sia BK & family. Lisa was a very cheerful and friendly person who never tired of telling us about the American life, culture and their educational system.
May her soul Rest In Peace.
Sakthiveal Lakshamanan
January 3, 2020
Jan Brett
December 10, 2019
Lisa made Dunn a magic place, drawing things from children that few could. She made all of us better people for knowing her. Her respect for the earth, nature, living things, and life, was contagious and permanent.
Deborah Howard
December 8, 2019
We visited Dunn Elementary and Lisa's class in the fall of 1989 and were so impressed that we put Ashley on the waiting list for the following school year (we planned to live out of the Dunn district). Ashley was always so happy when she came out of Lisa's class. Lisa was beautiful inside and out, cheerful and dedicated to her students. I enjoyed talking with her, but I never knew she was a Los Angeles native like me (we were the same age).
The amazing teachers at Dunn, guided by a terrific principal, gave Ashley a strong foundation. They would proud to know she obtained undergrad and grad degrees from U. of Michigan after going to Cohasset High School in the Boston area.
The wicked disease and untimely death were much too unfair. We send our deepest condolences to Lisa's family.
I was unsuccessful in attaching photos of Ashley studying weather in Lisa's class and joyfully running out of her class in the snow.
Love,
Deborah Howard
December 6, 2019
She was an amazing teacher, friend and human! I have so many memories of her reading books to children and using her puppets to bring words alive to many students. Ms Gimlett, you will be missed greatly. Love Khristy
Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results
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