Search by Name

Search by Name

Lisa Donnelly Obituary

Lisa Collette Donnelly was born on May 18, 1979, in Lawrence, Kansas, and passed into a better world on April 7, 2017, in San Francisco, California. Lisa led her life with an open heart. She brightened every room she entered and her smile and spirit were infectious. She was inspiring to all who had the great fortune of coming into contact with her and the purest reflection of her soul: her music. Lisa was incredibly gifted and she leaves us with volumes of beautiful, powerful songs and poetry through which her memory will live forever.

Lisa graduated from Lawrence High School in 1997 and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with degrees in psychology and theatre from the University of Kansas in 2002. Upon graduation from KU, Lisa moved to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a career in singing and songwriting. Lisa was fluent in Spanish and loved to travel. She developed lasting friendships throughout South America, Europe, and the United States. She will be missed by thousands of friends and followers who were devoted to Lisa and to her music.

Lisa is survived by her parents, Jerry and Ileene Donnelly, Lawrence, Kansas, her sister and brother-in-law, Tara and Jason Voogt, and her beloved nephews, Spencer, Jackson and Everett Voogt, Lafayette, California. A memorial service for Lisa will be held at the Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, California, at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 18, 2017.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to either Wila (wila.org) or Bay Area Girls Rock (http://www.bayareagirlsrockcamp.org) in memory of Lisa Collette Donnelly.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lawrence Journal-World on Apr. 12, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Lisa Donnelly

Not sure what to say?





Single Memorial Tree

Dale Benson

Planted Trees

Ray

April 6, 2025

Lisa. I think Of You Often. I Miss Your Infectious Smile and Beautiful Voice & Songs. I am so Blessed to have Played Music with You..You r Loved & Missed... peace

Linda Gaeta

April 8, 2024

"This Time" ... you are at peace. remembering you always from that song. you touched our hearts.

Dale

April 6, 2024

Still missing this girl everyday.

Michael Gilman

April 6, 2023

Miss you, Lisa. Hard to believe it is 6 years. Hope the angels like your angelic voice.

Michael Gilman

April 7, 2022

Miss you, Lisa. Thinking about you this week as I got coffee at Bricks and Scones, where I used to run into you, and tonight as I am seeing a Tom Rush in concert at McCabe's Guitar Shop, so I will be thinking of your beautiful voice too.

Carol Lemon

April 6, 2022

Lisa and her family will always hold a special place in my heart.

TripleTee

August 30, 2021

Ran into Lisa´s Instagram profile on my followings page and remembered that the world lost her too soon... know that her kindness and she spread is still out there. Love from an OG Ellisfam follower

Michael Gilman

April 7, 2021

Miss you and your beautiful voice and smile, Lisa. Your memory is a blessing.

Dale Benson

April 6, 2019

This beautiful and talented woman is missed everyday.

Shawn Barry

November 28, 2017

Lisa, your smile appears to me almost daily. Every moment with you was magic, every note you sang was from your soul and every person you touched will never forget you. I will never forget you .
I love you and am blessed to have felt your heart and shared time together.

Humberto Guida

September 4, 2017

I saw your picture in the Temple at Burning Man and I remembered waking up to you singing those amazing songs you did with John and A.M. Pacific at the first place I ever lived in LA. Hope where you are is more peaceful than this world. I know you are singing with angels.

Laura Kate Rurka

April 27, 2017

Thinking of you all and Lisa every day. Her beautiful voice and spirit will live on.

April 26, 2017

Ilene and Jerry,
Tom and I have moved back to Lawrence and were so sorry to read of Lisa's passing. We send our condolences and know that you both are in our thoughts and prayers. May memories of your lovely and talented daughter sustain you during this difficult time.
Warmly,
Joan and Tom

Rebecca G

April 22, 2017

I share a birthday with Lisa. I didn't know her but love her voice and music - I bought her album after hearing her charming and funny tales on her dear friend Gina's podcast. I'm so incredibly sorry for your loss and will be sending warm thoughts of her into the universe on May 18th.

Michael Gilman

April 17, 2017

Lisa, I will miss you and may you Rest In Peace! My deepest condolences to your family and friends! You were such a beautiful person inside and out, with such a musical gift! I am so glad to have met you and seen you perform many times, and I'm glad your memory and music will live on forever!

Alex Clifford

April 15, 2017

My condolences go out to Lisa's family and friends. It has been a long time, but I remember her as a genuinely nice person with an infectious laugh and a great sense of humor. She will be missed by many.

Lisa Fulbright

April 14, 2017

Your light was bright, and we all learned about LOVE from you. So sad to see you go...

The last time I saw Lisa, 3 years exactly before she passed.

April 14, 2017

Anne Williams

April 14, 2017

I consider it a blessing to have been able to meet Lisa a few times, as she was Laurel's closest friend and John's loved second daughter. It was such a pleasure to feel your spirit and warmth, hear your music and laughter. Peace to you.

Carol Lemon

April 13, 2017

Thoughts and prayers to the family. Lisa was beautiful inside and out. She will always live in the hearts of those that knew her.

Jeanne Klein

April 13, 2017

My deepest sympathies to Lisa's entire family and countless friends whose lives she touched with so much talented love, joy, and compassion. She will be sorely missed by so many but never forgotten as her soulful music lives on.

Patty Basil

April 13, 2017

We will miss your sweet face and gorgeous voice. Rest In Peace my friend... till we meet again. All our love to your family. Patty, Steven and Luca Basil

Chad Glover

April 13, 2017

Lisa and Family:
It has been years since I'd talked to Lisa. However, you were a great part of my life in Lawrence during our Alvamar/Jr High days. You were genuine, vibrant, and a pleasure to be around. Honored to call you a friend. A donation has been sent. Love and prayers sent to you and your family.

Chad Glover

Tom Williamson

April 12, 2017

Lisa,

I miss you and yet I haven't seen or talked to you in years. You were apart of a very tight knit LA crew we had here when we were all new in town back in 2004. We were all bright eyed and bushy tailed back then.
Say hello to Raffaela for me and know that you are missed terribly here in LA.

Muriel Moore

April 12, 2017

My heart breaks for you, my dear friends. The Lisa I knew was such a spunky, sweet little sister who, in the blink of an eye, became a beautifuly gifted musician. I've always been so proud of her. I love you all.

Carol Souders

April 12, 2017

Joel and I are so sorry to hear this news. Heaven has certainly gained a beautiful angel. Our hearts are with you.

Palvih Bhana

April 12, 2017

Lisa was a kind and loving person who always went out of her way to make sure everyone was included. She was a beautiful person inside and outside and I will miss her.
I am so sorry for your loss...

Dale Benson

April 12, 2017

Peace be with you

April 12, 2017

Sorrow makes us all children again- destroys all differences of intellect. The wisest knows nothing. Ralph Waldo Emerson

April Robles

April 12, 2017

Lisa had a smile that could light up the whole room her warm heart and soul was the one thing that i can feel as being her friend and coworker i am pleased to have met her and had the pleasure to hear her beautiful voice i will truly miss her and now she is in heaven with my grandparents love u girl .

Annie Gronbeck-Tedesco

April 12, 2017

I join the ranks of people that have incredible memories of Lisa. Growing up in Lawrence means that she is in several of my memories, whether hanging out with friends or sitting in class together. Seeing her in college and then around LA was always a treat and I am so very saddened by the news of her passing. She was a part of that magical thing that happens when you grow up in the same place, have similar dreams and know some of the same people. Theres a connectedness that we all share. Am so sorry for this loss and will continue to think of her and her family often.

Judy Crossfield

April 12, 2017

I am so sorry for your tremendous loss.

April Jacobson

April 12, 2017

Lisa,
Fly free my friend! May you feel warmth and peace.
April

Paul Williamsen

April 12, 2017

Lisa touched everyone she knew everyone she met with her heart and her smile.
Her success as a musician brought thousands more into her circle of light.
We've all been dimmed by her loss.

Bradford Cordova

April 12, 2017

I viewed her touching performance at Dolores memorial serve. Heartily touching.
My deepest sympathy for your loss.

Todd Chapple

April 12, 2017

Lisa and Donnelly family,

I am so saddened to hear of this. While teachers/coaches are not supposed to have "favorites ", I'd be lying if I didn't say Lisa was one of my favorites. Always enjoyed her smile and attitude on the tennis court. As I got to know her the last 10 years or so in her singing career, I was so proud of her that she was pursuing her dream. Always enjoyed listening to her sing when she came back to Lawrence, but more importantly, catching up with her. My heart goes out to you, and I will definitely miss her.

Todd Chapple

Mike & Barb Malone

April 12, 2017

Dear Jerry, Ileene, and Tara,

Our hearts go out to you. Still vivid in our memories are Lisa's jaw-dropping performances at Showtime when she attended LHS. She was extremely talented and always so happy and kind. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Kelly obrien

April 12, 2017

You will be so missed!

To your family and friends my deepest most thoughtful condolences.

Ray Santo

April 12, 2017

Lisa: I will Miss You Beautiful Smile and Loving Soul. I remember the first time we met and i knew You were very Special. I will treasure the times we Played your Music Live. and the late night talks catching up. I Pray that our heavenly father will wrap His arms around You as You Go Home and Comfort Your family. When I think of You I will always Smile and be thankful that you were in My Life...Love Ray

Showing 1 - 42 of 42 results

Make a Donation
in Lisa Donnelly's name

Memorial Events
for Lisa Donnelly

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Chapel of the Chimes Oakland Funeral Home, Crematory and Columbarium

4499 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, CA 94611

How to support Lisa's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Lisa Donnelly's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sponsored anonymously