E ART H

Lisa Sanders was born in Geraldine on the South Island of New Zealand to Robert Bruce Morrison and Mary Elizabeth Morrison on December 7, 1938. She passed away with her children by her side in San Diego on January 30, 2022; the world is a richer and brighter place for her presence.

Lisa played many roles: she was a daughter, sister, wife, and mother, but she was also a skilled surgical nurse who worked in Modesto hospitals and surgery centers for over 40 years. She was a skier, a swimmer, a dedicated gardener, a camper, hiker, and world traveler and equestrian. However, first and foremost she was an artist. She worked in many mediums, including painting, sculpting, weaving, sewing, woodworking, and ceramics. She was a fashion-forward style maven, one who brought dash and flair to everyday life. Her whole life was an extension of her art, as she brought her sensitivity, bold vision, and original artistic talent to every phase of her existence.

Lisa grew up a farm girl in New Zealand, with animals of every sort in her life and the beautiful New Zealand countryside to explore. She was an adventurous girl, and after completing her nurse’s training, she set out to explore the world. While on a ski trip to Kitzbuhel, Austria, she met Phil Sanders of Modesto. They generated enough sparks to melt the wax off their skis, so to speak, and very soon Lisa found herself engaged to the handsome Californian. And so it was, a long, happy, and colorful life, full of art and music and joys and sorrows; including the joys of raising her daughter Nicki and son Chris and her pride in her growth as an artist. Lisa had her sorrows as well; she nursed her husband Phil during his battle with cancer. He died much too young at age 46. She was an original, zany and free, a dizzy dame with a strong sense of social justice. She was very proud of her American citizenship and often shared her support of progressive causes. We will not see her like again, and miss her deeply.

Lisa was pre-deceased by her parents and by husband Philip Sanders and his parents Randy and Phyllis, brother David Morrison, and sisters Margaret Harlow and Barbara McQuinn. She is survived by brother Denis Morrison, and sister-in-law Marion of Timaru, NZ, daughter Nicola Sanders of San Diego, son Christopher Sanders of Santa Cruz, sisters-in-law Kathy Pickles of Modesto and Claire & Don Stocks of Gardnerville, Nevada. And 12 nieces and nephews and 21 great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society. A celebration of life will be held in Modesto, May 14, 2022.