Lisa was one of those “important people” names in the background when I was starting to delve seriously int the world of folk music in the 80s, when Green Linnet albums were starting to populate my recording collection. When I lived in northern Illinois, and got exposed to those who were the carriers of tradition, and started to meet and get to know some of the significant people in the world of trad, I became more aware of her significance (wonderful interview in COME FOR TO SING magazine), but it wasn’t till many years later that I got to meet Lisa (and Charlie!) in person at a Getaway.
In a crowd of fabulous singers, extravagant personalities, dramatic performances, Lisa was royalty riding on her scooter, delighting in people and songs, and being in the midst of it all. One of the biggest perks of covid was encountering Lisa on Zoom sings at the Mermaid’s Tavern, which extended to Facebook exchanges, Getaway zoom, and later to the incredible visits in the last few months at the weekly Fox Valley zoom. It has been such a privilege, and a blessing enabled by Charlie’s loving support, to know Lisa at the end of a life that has been so significant to so many. Her delight in song, singers, and the will to participate despite pain and weakness was a marvel not to be forgotten. What a blessing that Charlie and all the friends who knew her so well and so long were able to grant her a graceful departure.