Alisa Noda - Online Memorial Website

Dear Mark and Alisa's Family,

I feel so happy to have had Alisa as part of my life -- her gift was to recognize something unique and worthwhile in the people she met and share it with them.  She made me feel special as a child, always taking the time to read an Asterix book or two, share a joke or slip me a small present, just because.  She was a bright light and she drew people to her.  The connection she made with me continued into my adult life, I am sorry that it could not have been for longer.  We will all miss that glow.  My heart and love go out to you. 

Jon

Hello all,

We at LEAF Manitoba were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Alisa Noda--a great loss for family and friends and for the movement toward justice and equality.  We knew Alisa as a woman of dignity, charm, caring, commitment and quiet humour.  We feel privileged to have known her.

Alisa was always the first person in the LEAF network to compliment LEAF Manitoba on our annual reports.  Also, she frequently reminded us that she had been a Manitoban when she lived in Thompson, so had a special fondness for the province.

 

Our sympathies and thoughts are with Alisa's family and with her friends and colleagues at West Coast LEAF.

Betty Hopkins, on behalf on LEAF Manitoba.

Dear Mark and other members of Alisa's family,
I was lucky enough to get to know Alisa when we shared office space in 2004-2005 when I was a brand new lawyer.  As I got to know her I quickly grew to appreciate and admire her kindness, integrity, directness, and good humour.  She was generous with good advice when I asked for it, and with encouragement when I needed it.  I will continue to think of her as a wonderful mentor and example, and as a lovely, beautiful person who I was very fortunate to know. 
Unfortunately I can't attend Alisa's memorial on Sunday but I will be thinking of her, and of you.  I am very sorry for your loss.
Jess

Dear Mark, Alisa's family and friends;

 

On behalf on the Williams Lake Indian Band my condolences to Alisa's family.  We are sorry to hear of Alisa's passing.  Alisa was the Williams Lake Indian Band's lawyer for many, many years.  She was a very special person whom we all admired so much.  She always showed compassion and respect for all individuals.  Alisa made us laugh and always guided us in the right direction.  We will miss her dearly.  Alisa was a wonderful person who touched everyone she met.  We will never forget her.

 

Marg Shelley

Band Administrator

Williams Lake Indian Band

 

 

My heartfelt condolences to Mark and Alisa's family.

30 years ago Alisa led me to commit my life to the Lord and I deeply thank her for that.  One of my memories of her was the day I won a memory verse contest and the prize was tobogganing with her at one of the local mountains.  I am so grateful to the Lord that she took the time and initiative to teach me and the others in our class. She encouraged and inspired me to always do my best. 

May the Lord surround you with His peace, encourage you in His love and strengthen you with His presence.

With deepest sympathy, John Vela

To Alisa's Family and Friends,

 

I express my deepest sympathies in this difficult time.  I as well was not prepared for this shocking news.  Alisa was a lady who had no boundaries and reached out to find solutions to the impossible.  I feel she has set the stage to continue on.  Although no one will have her grace, knowledge and intuition that brought true professionalism and realistic approaches.  She has eloquently put forth the direction we are taking as First Nations'.  We were so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Alisa and I thank Mark and her family for being understanding of her commitments.  My thoughts and prayer go out to you and keep you circle strong in this trying time.  I will miss the casual discussions/laughter Alisa and I shared over the years and can see she made time for everyone.  Keep her memory alive!

Dear Mark & Juba, Dwight & family.

I am so sorry for your loss.  I work for the BCAA and have known Dwight and his beautiful wife Stephanie for years (before they married actually) when they both worked for BCAA.  I am also a neighbor of Mark/Alisa/Juba and was surprised and delighted, when talking to Alisa one day, to discover Dwight Noda was her brother. Juba always comes running for her cookie when she sees me walking my dog and  Mark and/or Alisa are often working in their beautiful gardens so we have our little chats..  I didn't know Alisa well but could tell she was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside.  She was always smiling and she will be missed by her neighbors as well.   My heart goes out to all your family and friends.  Diane Wark

Dear Mark and Alisa's family,

 

I had the good fortune to meet Alisa at a friend's gathering in Halifax and I stayed later with her and Mark for a short while at their lovely home in Vancouver. I remember Alisa as an energetic, vibrant and dedicated personality, full of talents and with strong well articulated beliefs.  I would like to express to Mark and her family my most sincere condolances at her sudden passing and I pray with them for her spirit to continue on living in our memories and in our hearts!

To Dear Alisa's Family: I still cannot believe she is gone. A little over ten years ago Alisa joined a creative writers class at Shadbolt Center in Burnaby that I was fortunate enough to be part of. We had a very talented class at that time, and a number of our classmates have gone on to be published in various forms over the years, but Alisa, though a newcomer, shone as brightly as any others in the group. Her stories were fun and well constructed, but even more important her insights and critiques of others was fair and given in a manner that left you still encouraged. We were briefly part of another writing group and then went in other directions. We stayed in contact occasionally, mostly via phone or e-mail, and I still have the critique Alisa sent on the first chapter of a story I am working on. She started by saying, "I would probably not have read past the first paragraph (sorry!) if I didn't know you, like you and respect your work." No pulling punches there! And from there she went on to a two page detailed examination of all that was wrong and a few things that were right about my work. It can be tough to take criticism sometimes, but Alisa always managed to make you appreciate her point of view. I am a better writer today because of her, and my life has been enriched by knowing her. Even though we didn't see each other often, I will miss her greatly. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Kevin McKay