Lisa Marie Diffley

Lisa Cooper Diffley age 42 of Maple Grove, formerly of Minnetonka, passed away on Friday, February 14 2025. Lisa fought a valiant and courageous battle against cancer for almost five years, she remained brave and positive throughout and will be greatly missed by those who knew her.
Survived by children Liam and Lyla and their father Jim Diffley.
Mother Veronica White, father Paul Cooper (Susan), brother Andrew Cooper (Erica), niece and nephew Braeden and Marit Cooper plus many wonderful aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Graduate of Hopkins High School Class of 2000. Lisa enjoyed many sports including GAL softball, figure skating, and was in the inaugural year of Rugby as a team sport in Hopkins. She attended MSUM where her love for Rugby brought her together with people who became lifelong friends and inspired her to coach Rugby. She graduated in 2005 with a degree in education and received her Master's Degree in 2016.
Lisa was a fixture of JCI Hopkins since joining in 2009. She co-chaired one of the chapter's largest fundraisers, Mainstreet Day Arts and Craft Fair, for 6 years. She is a past president, a JCI MN Statesman, and a JCI USA Ambassador. Over the years, Lisa consistently gave of her time and talents to support the Jaycees and the community.
She was a math tutor and started her teaching career at a charter school. She continued her career as a math teacher at Sandburg Regional High School, part of the Anoka Hennepin School District. She was inspired to pursue a career in education by her grandfather, sharing her gift for motivating and helping students find their confidence and believe in themselves. She always thought about puzzles, games, and hands-on ways to help her children and students understand the mathematics that she loved so much.
Her kids Liam and Lyla were the light of her life. She loved taking them on day trips and adventures including a recent road trip with her best friend Jane. She was very involved with the activities the kids loved. Her preferred shopping method was going to craft fairs with her mom and mother in law, she took pride in finding unique gifts for everyone. She loved sunsets and making family memories on annual summer camping trips. Lisa was warm, bright, funny, fearless, and a genuine friend to all those she met.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 22 at Washburn-McReavy Hopkins Chapel from 12-4pm.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations preferred to the JCI Hopkins or the gofundme set up to support Lisa's children https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-lisas-journey-to-hospice-care