- Date Of Birth: January 8, 1936
- Date Of Death: February 22, 2021
- State: Colorado
Elizabeth “Lisa” Joanne Sabia was born in New Britain, Connecticut on January 8th, 1936, the daughter of Francesco “Frank” Sabia and Cecilia “Jessie” (Kujawa) Sabia. She had a younger brother, Robert. Lisa came from a large, close-knit family of Italian and Polish descent and was very proud of her heritage.
Growing up near the ocean, Lisa spent much of her time at the beach, sailing or fishing with her father and brother. She was a synchronized swimmer and worked at nearby “Ocean Beach” as a lifeguard during the summers. She was involved in the theatre and had a lifelong love of musicals, dance and classical performance. Lisa made friends wherever she went. Her friends were dear to her and she was often the instigator of fun and adventures.
Lisa graduated from New London High School in 1954. She attended Connecticut Women’s College before ultimately graduating from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1959. After graduation, Lisa worked in the laboratories at Pfizer, Inc. in Groton, CT.
In 1962, Lisa followed “the allure of The West” and her dream of living near the mountains, and moved to Colorado. She continued lab work at University of Colorado’s medical complex in Denver. In 1964, she married Val L. Freeman. They resided in the Washington Park area of Denver with their two children from previous marriages, Jeff and Jill, and a new daughter, Rebekah. In 1969, the family moved to Flagstaff, Arizona where Lisa earned a degree in Art History from Northern Arizona University. Lisa and Val were divorced in 1972 and Lisa returned to Denver.
Lisa began studying for a degree in social work at Metro State College.
It was during this time that Lisa met Gerald H. Spann. They married in 1975 and moved with Rebekah to a new home in south Jefferson County. After many happy years, Gerry and Lisa parted amicably in 1993. She lived in Durango, Colorado for 2 years before returning to Denver in 1995.
Lisa loved the mountains, hiking, skiing and camping. She was inquisitive and appreciative of the natural wonders and native cultures of Colorado and the Southwest. She was a seasoned traveler, touring widely in the U.S., Mexico and Europe including her beloved, Italy. Creating art was a lifelong passion of Lisa’s. She had started painting in her twenties and completed many fine paintings and pastels in the years that followed. Lisa was delighted when she was invited to paint with the “Painted Toes Society”.
It was while painting lakeside at a local park, that she met Lester J. Lippy. He was walking his dog and had stopped to inquire on her progress. Lisa and Les were married on Feb. 12, 2000. They moved into a beautiful home in Genesee Park where they relished the best of mountain living. Lisa and Les took many journeys together: travelling to China, New Zealand, France, the Virgin Islands and Costa Rica. Lisa was a supportive and caring mother and a champion for all of her childrens’ endeavors.
Wishing to be closer to city amenities, museums, and activities, Lisa and Les moved to Littleton in 2007. They enjoyed 8 more years in their own spacious home before moving to the Meridian Englewood retirement community where Les passed away in 2017.
In July of 2019, Lisa moved to an assisted living residence where she could get additional care in a small facility close to her daughter. With her family at her side, Lisa passed away peacefully on February 22, 2021. She will be remembered by her enthusiasm for new things, her big smile, love of art, and sense of humor.
Lisa was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Robert Sabia; and by her husband, Lester J. Lippy. She is survived by her son, Frank J. (Elidia) Sabia; daughter, Rebekah (Peter Dybing) Sabia; step-daughter, Jill (Doug) Michener and niece, Erika Tiedemann Tessitore. She has six grandchildren: Benjamin Michener, Mark Michener, Sierra Shepard, Nick Sabia, Frankie G. Sabia and Sarah Trickey.
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