Lisa A. Lavarnway

Lisa A. Lavarnway, 54, passed away October 26, 2023.

Lisa was born July 6, 1969 in Watertown, the daughter of Roy L. (Lee) and Barbara (Brough) Lavarnway III.  She graduated from Watertown High School in 1988.  Lisa attended Herkimer College and graduated from Jefferson Community College with an Associates Degree in Tourism. Lisa then received her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services from Empire State University.  She was employed with National Grid as a customer service representative. 

Lisa married Michelle Wilson October 1, 2011 in Sackets Harbor, with the Honorable Debbie Payne officiating.

Surviving beside her wife Michelle are, her parents Roy (Lee) and Barbara Lavarnway, a brother Mark (Joanne) Lavarnway, Watertown, a niece Julia Lavarnway,  two nephews Marcus Lavarnway, Vincent Lavarnway and her dog Lexi.

 Lisa was a people person all of her 54 years. She loved her parents deeply and spoke with them daily. Her older brother, Mark, affectionately nicknamed her “Sledge” after the band “Sister Sledge” when they were kids. Another name  Lisa had during high school was “Tazz the Spazz”. Lisa was an athlete and played soccer and field hockey. She was truly a devil at times always with a mischievous twinkle and grin. She loved competing at any type of game and interacting with everyone. Often, Lisa had get togethers but truth be told she “WAS” the life of the party most of the time —so funny! After high school and her initial college, she spent some time working on cruise ships and then later lived in Las Vegas for a while. When she moved back to the area, she also worked at a vet clinic for a short time. She found it difficult as the sometimes-necessary procedures that the animals and owners had to face were too heart wrenching for her. Lisa LOVED animals; hers or yours. Lisa married the love of her life, Michelle, in 2011. Together, they recently realized their dream of building their beautiful home. Lisa was so proud of their home and took great care in keeping it beautiful and welcoming to all of their friends and family. Lisa could find the humor in just about anything. She told great stories, had many hysterical experiences, and above all, loved to entertain people and make them laugh. She was really good at it. She was also the best at letting her people know how much she loved them. She could make fast friends with strangers, crash a wedding and wield the mic and music, and crack up an officer who pulled her over for speeding….no ticket issued. Lisa was an empath and felt everything deeply. Her loyalty, love, devotion and overflowing personality will be missed by all.

There will be no calling hours.  A funeral mass will be 10 am on Friday, November 3, 2023 at Holy Family Church with Reverend Matthew Conger officiating. Arrangements are with D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the North Country Pet Adoption, PO Box 217, Glenfield, NY 13343 or All Creatures Big and Small, Lacona, NY http://allcreaturesbigandsmall.org. Condolence may be made at www.dlcalarco.com

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