ELIZABETH "LISA" DAPAS

Elizabeth "Lisa" (Weihe) Dapas Elizabeth "Lisa" (Weihe) Dapas, 51, of Downingtown, Pa., passed away Saturday, April 30, 2011, at the West Chester, Pa., Neighborhood Hospice Care facility. She was born July 30, 1959, in West Virginia (in the same hospital, she would come to learn, where her husband was born the next summer). Lisa grew up in New York City and McLean, Va., just outside Washington, D.C. She graduated from Mt. Holyoke College (Mass.) with a degree in German and a minor in German Economic Studies. Lisa married Naval Officer, Marc Louis Dapas, on Jan. 18, 1986, at the Naval Academy chapel in Annapolis, Md. Lisa and Marc made their first home as a married couple in Charleston, S.C. Lisa distinguished herself as a portrait artist and muralist, talented photographer, interior design consultant and retail manager. Marc and Lisa relocated to Batavia, Ill., in 1995, from Red Wing, Minn. Their two children attended H.C. Storm Elementary School, where the family formed many wonderful and lasting friendships. During this time, Lisa was accepted into the Master of Fine Arts program at Northern Illinois University based on the strength of her art portfolio, and painting became even more of a passion. Lisa and Marc's son, Matthew, graduated from Batavia High School in 2006. The family joined Marc in Downingtown, Pa., that summer as Marc had already transferred to start his next assignment within the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Their lovely home was a reflection of Lisa's personality: a perfect blend of sophistication and subtle whimsy. Lisa made the most of each new challenge and eagerly embraced each situation as opportunity. An engaging storyteller, Lisa enjoyed public speaking and had been active in the local chapter of Toast Masters in Geneva, Ill. She appreciated and enjoyed deep friendships, great literature, art galleries and bookstores, summers in Maine, attending Matthew's basketball games and Natalie's dance performances. Once settled in Pennsylvania, Lisa found her home-away-from-home in the Brandywine Valley at Longwood Gardens. Her membership there, a gift from her mother, allowed for frequent visits (always with camera in tow) and "Longwood" became a sacred respite - a blessing. A favorite family photo taken last year in May marked a very proud and happy day: Matthew's graduation from Johns Hopkins University. Lisa and Marc's daughter (her mother's "Sweet Pea"), Natalie, is completing her freshman year at Penn State, where she is majoring in Chemistry. Lisa's many close friends and loving family can attest that she was courage personified as she battled oral cancer with all her might for the past 11 months. No matter the toughness of what she was facing, Lisa always looked forward. She constantly inspired with her ability to appreciate and channel the beauty in art and nature while enduring the heartache of each setback. Lisa's natural creativity led to the widely visited personal blog site: www.pullupachair.typepad.com. She was driven to document and share her experiences and fascinating insights for the benefit of others. Lisa's voice, as well as her ever-expanding network, LIVES ON helping others. Lisa is survived by her husband and two children; her mother, Barbara Eldridge of Red Wing, Minn.; father, Kenneth "Whit" Weihe (Teddy) of Lakeland, Fla.; brother, John (Heewon) of Houston, Texas; sister, Ellen (Peter) Gorsevski of Bowling Green, Ohio; brother, Richard (Friday) of New York City; in-laws, Lou and Connie (Cross) Dapas of Raymond, Maine; in-laws, Lynne and Alan Davis of Bradenton, Fla.; sister-in-law, Marci Mauro of San Diego, Calif.; six nieces and nephews; and several dear aunts and uncles. As she was in life, Lisa will be remembered with tremendous love and admiration forever. Her blog includes this quote of Stendhal "beauty is the promise of happiness." Lisa lived for finding the beauty. A Celebration of Life for this remarkable mother, wife, daughter. sister, friend, artist, and gracious woman, will be held Sunday, May 22, at 2:30 in the afternoon at the Unitarian Universalist Society Church, located at, 110 2nd St., Geneva, Ill., where Lisa was actively involved in various capacities for the many years her family resided in the Fox River Valley. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception at Nosh (directly across the street from the church on James) from 4 to 6 p.m. following the service. In lieu of flowers, Lisa's family has requested that any desired donations be made to the Oral Cancer Awareness Foundation (www.oralcancerawareness.com).