Lisa Johnson Ogrinc

Lisa Johnson Ogrinc, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2024, surrounded by her family and close friends at her home in Medfield, Massachusetts after an incredibly courageous battle with cancer. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, December 14, 1963, she was the daughter of the late Richard L. and Kathryn Gutowski Johnson. Lisa was raised in Barrington, Rhode Island and was part of a loving, extended family including her beloved Nana and Mom Sewall. As a child, she enjoyed summers at Second Beach with her siblings, sailing along the Atlantic coast, or spending time with her very mischievous wire-haired fox terrier named Kelly. Always industrious, during high school, Lisa not only earned good grades and played volleyball, she also rose in the ranks at Carr’s Catering helping to organize complex events with a “Lisa” flair!

After her graduation from Barrington High School in 1981, Lisa continued her education at Fairfield University. Lisa enjoyed the college experience and made many close friends that stayed by her side her entire life. While at Fairfield, Lisa lived in a beach house called On the Rocks, where once, during a hurricane, she and her roommates were evacuated by the coast guard, and upon their request, were brought to a local bar called The Naut, rather than an evacuation center! Lisa also began to travel during college, spending time in London with her friend Meg, and visiting other parts of Europe. In 1985, Lisa graduated from Fairfield with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.

Lisa fell in love with tech and business startups during the dotcom boom of the late 1980’s beginning her long and storied career and developing her marketing prowess at a number of companies including, GEnie (an early internet pioneer that helped pave the way for the likes of AOL and Netscape), Comp-U-Card (the first company to conduct internet commerce) and Modem Media (a digital marketing agency). Lisa went on to hold the Vice President of Marketing positions at Wunderman Cato Johnson, TechTarget, Informa Tech and Kaspersky Lab creating online marketing plans for major businesses such as Apple, AT&T, Ford and Kraft. For the last part of her career, Lisa worked as a consultant, sharing her years of experience and expertise with companies that needed her help in order to grow. She was invited to lecture at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, teaching a course on entrepreneurship and innovation.

Lisa was a brilliant and innovative leader, but more importantly she was an amazing friend. In addition to her professional successes, she forged life-long friendships with many of her colleagues who have remained important to both Lisa and her children.

Lisa met the love of her life, Harry James Ogrinc, at Comp-U-Card and what began as a friendship grew into a beautiful life together. In addition to their careers, they enjoyed spending warm days on the beach, cold winter days skiing at Stratton Mountain, and traveling whenever they could throughout the year. In Stratton, Vermont they found a wonderful community and would often host many friends and family. They could often be found volunteering together at local shelters, giving back to those less fortunate in their community. Lisa spent much of her time with women at a local domestic violence shelter, spreading warmth and positivity by planning parties and small events.

Lisa and Harry were the very proud parents of Elizabeth “Betsy”, born 1998; their angel John, born 2003; and Matthias, born 2006. The family lived in Medfield, a community who always embraced and cared for them. Lisa will be remembered as a loving mother and wife, who put the needs of her family above everything else. She encouraged and supported her children in all that they undertook – from sports to the arts, to education; Lisa was their biggest cheerleader. She modeled kindness and compassion in every aspect of her life. Lisa was a woman who created community wherever she went, with a magnetic personality that was enhanced by her quick wit, humor, and good heart. She was a steadfast friend to all who knew her and was often described as the glue that held her communities together. Lisa was intelligent, creative and hardworking. She will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Lisa’s family would like to acknowledge and thank the brilliant staff of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Dana Farber Cancer Center, especially Dr. Wright and Dr. Cubbison. With a special mention of all of the phenomenal nursing staff who provided unparalleled care.

Lisa’s family would also like to acknowledge and thank the amazing Cathy Bettencourt, Lisa’s Hospice nurse, who was remarkably compassionate to Lisa and the entire family.

Lastly, Lisa’s family would also like to acknowledge and thank the Saint Sebastian’s community, who have embraced not only Matthias, but also Lisa and Betsy in their love, supporting them in so many ways.

Lisa was the beloved wife of Harry James Ogrinc; loving mother of Betsy, John, and Matthias. In addition to Betsy and Matthias, Lisa is survived by her sister Karen Johnson, and her husband James Broderick, of Hingham; her sister Siri Noering, and her husband Will, of Hingham; her brother Eric Johnson, and his wife Karen, of Denver, Colorado; and her sister-in-law Janice White of Connecticut; as well as nieces and nephews; Marianne, Erika, Dana, Jessica, Meg, Peter, Chris, Ben, Charlie, Max, Cassi, and Colin. She will also be survived and missed by many incredible and loving friends from all eras of her life, including Meg, Eileen, Monty, Julie, Greg, and the whole B.C. crew. She was predeceased by her parents Richard and Kathryn, and her sister-in-law Diane M. Jensen.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Lisa’s Life Celebration on Tuesday, March 19th, 2024, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Edward the Confessor Church, 133 Spring Street, Medfield, on Wednesday, March 20th, 2024, at 11:30 AM. Interment will follow at Vine Lake Cemetery, Medfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations for those wishing to do so, may be made to The Ogrinc Family 2008 Trust, Karen Johnson, 16 Berkley Circle, Hingham, MA 02043. This trust is for the benefit of her children.

 

Gathering Memories of Lisa Ogrinc

This form is to gather memories (and or photos) of Lisa to share with Betsy and Matthias.