Alisa Noda - Sitio Web Conmemorativo En Línea

I feel so fortunate to have reconnected with Alisa again in the last 6 months.  I remember having a couple of wonderful, long conversations with her about cooking Indian food, being 50 and dedicating your time to things that really mean something. Our conversation went all over the map. 

I met Alisa through singing when I joined a quartet before she and Mark married. I remember Alisa always making me feel like it didn’t matter one iota that I didn’t read music and that the skills I had weren’t just more than enough—they were great!!  I remember our quartet singing at her wedding.  It was a beautiful sunny day and she looked so strikingly beautiful in the dress she had sewn.  She is someone I admired for all of her dedication, talent, and creativity. 

I see Alisa as someone who lived life to the fullest—mind, body, and soul--all connected in everything she did.  I know she loved Mark dearly—she made sure that when she had to work out of town that there was enough frozen cooked meals to last until she returned. She said she missed Mark, her dog, Juba, and her home when she had to be away. 

She was an incredible human being and enlightened spirit.  I can’t find the words to express how much I admired, respected and loved her for her complete dedication to whatever she did.  She really WALKED HER TALK.  She is truly inspirational.  I am honoured to have known her, to have shared such lovely conversations and to have had such fun times singing and laughing with her. I will carry my memories of her forever.  I miss her dearly.

It was uncanny how our lives kept crossing...right from when I was a pre-teen, and Alisa was a youth leader.  My cousin Debbie brought me to one of her church events, and there I was, lost and not so self assured.  Alisa was warm, and welcoming and even though I didn't know the group, she made me feel comfortable.  She was a great role model, dedicating her time to these giggling wayward, tweens!  A few years later, I was delighted to find Alisa as my student teacher at Eric Hamber high!  Those were pretty impressionable years, and Alisa, once again was like a guiding star.  I didn't see a lot of her, but always felt a warm bond and connection.  Years later, as a Social Worker, I hired a child care worker, who happend to be Rob Toffolo, her husband!  I could see how they were a match, with him dedicating his work to ...wayward teens!  We had some pretty tough cases, but Rob demonstrated incredible patience and perseverence.  Years later, again, our paths crossed, when we both worked for Indian Affairs.    I hadn't seen Alisa since she left for private practice, but I will always hold a special place for her in my heart.

Dear Mark, Mrs. Noda , family and friends:

Alisa did indeed leave us too soon, like one of those long bright but too short shooting stars of summer.

Like the others, I wish to re-affirm that Alisa had a special golden light and spirit.

In addition to her many worthy and exceptional achievements, I found Alisa to be an unusually warm-hearted, good and kind person from the start. In my experience, she enriched the lives of all of us.

The start was Alisa calling me out of the blue, for advice on her 1^st WCB matter as a newish lawyer [she was always intelligent, organized in her ability to learn and share]; and we met for lunch as lawyers like to do. By the end of lunch , Alisa had in her cheerful way, got me to join a WCLEAF law reform committee; and thus, opened up new avenues for work and friendship with her and, many other caring human beings.

I feel Alisa showed a very large, special and generous spirit. A typical example is the lovely garden she so enjoyed growing and coaxing with Mark & Juba; and which she shared via her plant exchange parties, which were also occasions for good food and making new friends. I see delicate, sturdy and prolific yellow corydalis and elegant black mondo grass; and I see and remember Alisa who was much like them .

It was always a pleasure to have contact with Alisa; even at long difficult meetings where her smiles and positive teacher’s manner made coming to a consensus so much more effective and pleasant than we all expected.

It was a joy to run into Mark and Alisa at musical events; and to feel how they shared a special partnership and caring. It was great to see how Alisa grew and thrived in her law practice ; and how Mark and her dear family were part of that .

Alisa was a catalyst for bring people together and to feel the shared community of music, dance or Shakespearean appreciation; or even mundane things like fund-raising.

Alisa, Thank you for sharing yourself and so much else. Mark and family, please know Alisa’s spirit will always be with you and many others including myself.

"We are ten times less by one" - Garnet Rogers

Alisa Noda appeared in my life like a supernova of intelligence, energy, laughter and drop dead gorgeous in October 1976 at SFU.  I was 19.  I couldn't believe this woman would spend time with me.

I remember her playfully slipping notes into my locker.  Steaming up the windows of my first car on a Saturday night.  Giving me a Bible, and her copy of "Close to the Edge" - just because she knew I liked the music.  Leading me to God on the swings at Bobolink Park.  And staying friends for 30 years after the romantic and religious relationships ended. 

Watching her amazing life unfold:  Thompson, Rob Toffolo (the sweetest guy I ever knew), law school, aboriginal law, the Supreme Court of Canada, her own law firm (run out of her home for years) doing fascinating and vital work.

Catching up over lunch or dinner to hear, not about her legal career, but about singing, dancing, travelling, dogs, nieces and nephews, the place on Mayne.  I never even heard about the Nikkei Centre, but I'm not in the least surprised. 

Watching her become a friend to my wife and take an interest in my children.  Being so happy for her when she found Mark.  Watching her age impossibly beautifully.

Alisa was one of the lucky ones:  she recognized her passions and had the courage to follow where they lead.

She made a real difference in this cruel, crazy, beautiful world.  It is sadly diminished by her absence.  We all must die, but so often the best of us are taken so soon.