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LISA SLOAN Obituary
LISA SLOAN, of Philadelphia, PA and New York, NY, dedicated mother to her young son, Charlie, and intelligent, passionate and loving daughter, sister, friend and colleague, passed away in her sleep early Saturday morning, June 12, 2010. It was sudden and unexpected as she was in the prime of her life.
Lisa loved life and lived with passion. An avid writer, she worked at the New Yorker Magazine, and had short fiction published in the Atlantic Monthly, Redbook, and other magazines. One story was included in a collection entitled the "Best American Short Stories of 1981." Lisa always said she became a lawyer to support her writing habit. Impatient with the ordinary, Lisa brought a sense of style, intellectual rigor, and intelligence to everything that she did. Lisa graduated from Bryn Mawr College, cum laude, and from the Columbia University School of Law, with honors. In 2008 she was listed as one of the 500 top American lawyers. At the time of her death, she was a Shareholder in the Corporate Group of the international law firm, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, where she specialized in structuring and documenting complex securitization transactions.
When she was not tending to her young son, Charlie, or practicing law, Lisa found time to be active in several charities. Because she cared very deeply about the health and welfare of women and families, she served on the Board of both Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania and The Women's Law Project. In addition, she was as active and enthusiastic participant in Democratic Party matters.
In the end, what she did mattered little; rather, it was the quality and care that characterized her relationships that spoke to her true humanity. No relationship was more important to her than her son, Charlie. He was first in her heart and in her deeds. She also leaves behind her sister, Heather, her mother, Eleanor, and her brother, Joshua, his wife, Karen, and her nephews, Maxwell and Nathan and niece, Morgan.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations in her honor be sent to Woodlynde School, 445 Upper Gulph Rd, Strafford, PA 19087 or Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Penna., 1144 Locust St., Phila., PA 19107 or The Women's Law Project, 125 S. 9th St., Suite 300, Phila., PA 19107.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Suzanne Biemiller
May 5, 2011
Dear Charlie, Eleanor and Heather:
I just learned about Lisa's death last June and wanted to extend to you my sincere sympathies. Lisa was a huge support to me when my sister was struggling through her treatments at Sloane Kettering and she and all of you opened up your NYC apartment to our family during this difficult time. I will never forget her generosity. And I will never forget the passion with which she approached everything in her life--especially, you, Charlie. God how she loved you. We would talk about you all the time during our train rides to work together (which sadly ended when I switched jobs three years ago) and she was so proud of you and your accomplishments. She was a force to be reckoned with and I know you all must miss her very, very much.
Lucille Blair
March 2, 2011
I just read of Lisa's death in the Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin. I am shocked and saddened by this news. It has been many years since I saw Lisa, I have thought of her often over the years as one does good friends one has lost touch with - and she was a wonderful and supportive friend when we were both at Bryn Mawr. Enormously intelligent, witty, sophisticated, wise beyond her years, a graceful grasp of life that few of us at that time possessed. She introduced me to delicious bowls of hot oatmeal with brown sugar and cream consumed in great quantities as we navigated yet another saga in each other's lives. My deepest sympathies are with her son and family.
Charlotte Berchtold Chung
December 8, 2010
So shocked and saddened to read Lisa's name under "In Memoriam" in the Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin. I have not seen and spoken with her for many years, but remember her for her shining intellect, her sophistication and her good humored wit. I recall a gathering at your family home perhaps our senior year and a feeling of great warmth and repartee between Lisa and her mom. I am also the mother of one precious son, and distinctly remember being so pleased for her (even from a distance) to read of her wonderful Charlie. My prayers for joy that comes in the morning after your night(s) of tears, go out to all of you.
September 23, 2010
I miss you Lisa!
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Sherry Kumar
September 22, 2010
Lisa was supportive friend, a dedicated attorney, a passionate supporter of womens' causes, a good mother and truly an amazing person. She will be greatly missed in Philadelphia.
September 16, 2010
To Lisa's Family
I am so saddended to have learned of Lisa's passing. She and I became friends when we worked in Paris. We saw each other occasionally when we returned to the US but we had lost touch in recent years. She was funny, insightful and recommended the best books. I know that Charlie meant everything to her. I cannot imagine the depth of your grief at losing someone so special.
My thoughts are with you.
Carol Russo
Brookline, MA
Liz Kelly
August 1, 2010
Dear Sloan Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Lisa was a very special person. I met Lisa about about 8 years ago when I was working in the Finance department at PECO Energy in Philadelphia. Lisa was working at Ballard Spahr at the time and was involved in the PECO bond offerings. Her great sense of humor was what drew me to her and we become friends - meeting for lunch when our schedules allowd. Even after I left PECO and she left Ballard, we continued to correspond via email and meet for lunch or dinner in Philly every few months or so. I always enjoyed getting Lisa's perspective on life and she always offered me guidance when I asked her for her opinion. One of the things that really makes me smile when I think about Lisa is the Halloween party that she and Charlie would host every year. It was obvious this was a party they both really enjoyed planning. She would tell me about how they would determine the theme of the party each year and the great costumes they would create for the party (always homemade costumes - never store bought). One year Lisa went as a mummy and wrapped herself in guaze - a great costume, needless to say. However, as she relayed the story to me, she said she didn't consider how difficult it might be to go to the bathroom with that costume. We laughed so hard when she was telling the story, she could hardly finish telling it! Lisa really enjoyed life and that came through in everything she said and did. She is a great friend and will be missed by many people whose lives she touched - I am honored to say that I am one of those people. The world is a better place that we had Lisa in it even though her life was cut way too short. I wanted to share my thoughts and memories with you because she always made me smile.
Dan Passage
July 22, 2010
Dear Sloan family -
I knew Lisa professionally - having worked with her on a number of projects in recent years. The more we worked together, the better I liked Lisa. She was a great lawyer, a warm person, and unfailingly polite and kind and cooperative. I wanted you to know that she made friends even of opposing lawyers and people she was negotiating across from. She was as far from the stereotype of the unhelpful, difficult lawyer as one could be.
I am very sorry for her passing and for your loss, and I regret that the world I work in is very much diminished for her passing.
Mark Harris
July 22, 2010
I just learned of Lisa's passing today and am absolutely devastated. I had the honor of working with her professionally and getting to know her personally. She was a remarkable woman and was so very proud of her dear son Charlie. Charlie, I know that you will grow up to be the great son that your mother raised. Take comfort in knowing that she will be with you always.
Lisa, you are missed. My thought and prayers are with your family.
David Mallenbaum
July 13, 2010
Lisa and I met in law school and renewed our relationship in the last few years when we were both practicing in Philadelphia. We would comisserate about law firms and clients, trade family advise and always raise each others spirits. I will miss her.
July 12, 2010
Dear Eleanor, my deepest heartfelt love goes out to you and Charlie. I just received this heart breaking news today. Sincerely, Charlene
July 12, 2010
Hello Eleanor. Just today I learned about you losing Lisa. My heart is overwhelmed--for you, for Charlie, with cares. Know that you are all in my prayers. These are such times when I like to believe that Prayer makes a difference. Until later, my love. Charlene
Paola Cohen
July 4, 2010
Dear Eleanor
I was so sad to hear about Lisa passing, Joy called last night and I wanted to send you and your family my deepest sympathies
Paola Cohen
Lisa Howe
June 25, 2010
Lisa came into my store one day and we immediately became friends.I appreciated her quick wit and sense of humor. We would talk about many things, but her favorite subject was Charlie. Her face would light up and she would fill me in on everything 'Charlie". I will miss her, but her spirit will live on in that wonderful little boy and I hope he comes to visit me often.
MaryPat Gallagher
June 25, 2010
My deepest sympathies to Lisa's family and friends. I worked with Lisa at Ballard, and she was universally loved here for her great personality and quick wit. I will always remember her bringing Charlie into work with her for the first time when he was just a wee one. There wasn't a dry eye in the house - we were all so incredibly proud of Lisa and happy for her! Her love and caring for him and for the rest of her family is quite a legacy. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Suzanne Cole
June 22, 2010
My son and Charlie were best friends in preschool. I haven't seen her much since those days, and am very sad to hear of her passing. She was a warm, loving mother who had a wonderful love of life. May Charlie always know how much his mother loved him.
June 22, 2010
Dear Charlie and family,
Your Mom's laugh and great smile always made Maya and I feel happy in her company. It is easy to see her smile in you! We had such great times talking about Woodlynde and working for Obama and many things about the world. Maya and I hope to see you soon! with love from Kathleen Davis and Maya Davis-Goodstein
Shelley Starck
June 22, 2010
Dear Aunt Eleanor, Charlie, Heather, & Josh:
We also believe your family truly embodies the elements of unconditional love and commitment to one another and have always admired the bond you share. We are grateful for the many, many family gatherings Lisa spearheaded. Distance/no time were no excuse for Lisa as she came to all our family gatherings and shared with us her incredible energy, insights, and passion for life. I will always remember her unending love for Charlie and all the ‘Charlie stories’ she shared with such pride. We are the lucky ones to have known Lisa and will forever cherish the memories.
We send our deepest sympathy for your loss . . .
All our love,
Shelley and Miguel
jenny webb
June 19, 2010
Dear Cousin Eleanor, Heather, Josh and Sweet Charlie,
Jon and I have agreed, we have learned about "family" and love by knowing how your family loves each other. We are so sad to know of Lisa'a passing...but inspired by your love for her; before, now and forever...what a gift.
We love you.
Jenny and Jon
Binnie Polonsky
June 18, 2010
Dear Charlie and the entire Sloan Family:
Efrem and I are saddened to learn of Lisa's passing. I enjoyed Lisa because of her enormous energy, dedication, humor and compassion. When we last spoke at Woodlynde, we schemed about trying to convince Charlie and Efrem to take a class at PhillyCircus.com because we thought it would be such fun for the boys. We realized that the boys were not of the same opinion and laughed about throwing a party and inviting 10 women to go wild trying the trapezee or unicycle. I admired her for her love of family and the many good causes we supported in common. I consider myself to be fortune to have known Lisa and to have had my life touched in such positive ways because of her.
The Staff of Nickerson Funeral Home
June 18, 2010
We wish to extend our deepest sympathies at this difficult time.
Danielle Donaldson
June 17, 2010
To Lisa's beloved Charlie and her family,
I am so saddened to hear of Lisa's passing. Her amazing energy, wry sense of humor and heart-felt compassion for her family (especially you, Charlie)and friends was truly exceptional. She touched the lives of many, including mine and she will be greatly missed. I will hold her spirit for life in my heart.
My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.
Peace be with you,
Danielle Donaldson
June 16, 2010
I am so sorry to learn of Lisa's sudden death. I got to know Lisa through our Women Rainmaker's Roundtable. She was so smart and funny! We had a great shopping excursion to the Ed Hardy store in AZ. Charlie, your mom talked about you non-stop. She loved you very much. Lisa will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lynn Litzke
June 16, 2010
To the entire Sloan family ... I've only known Lisa for a short while, but I had the ultimate pleasure of working with her every day for the past few months. She was truly an amazing woman, an inspiration to me in so many ways, and not only a "boss", but someone I considered a friend. I always loved to hear her wonderful stories about Charlie and her family members. Lisa also had an uncanny way of making me laugh every day, and I, for one, will miss her tremendously. My prayers are with you all during this incredibly sad time. God bless you. -- Lynn Litzke, Greenberg Traurig
June 16, 2010
Charlie,
My condolances to you, I know you loved your mother very much. She will live forever in your heart and in the things that you do to honor her.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
Ms Gretchen Schroeder
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