Alisa Noda - Online Memorial Website

Alisa

You are a wonderful woman, an amazing friend, a fearless and tireless advocate.  I will never forget our first meeting at court when our mutual client introduced us in person.  We had only talked by phone.  That moment was defining.  In your infectious way you tapped me on the shoulder and my personal level of commitment to women and  minorities went to a new level.  You later shared your personal family experiences and we spoke warmly and deeply on many occasions, all of which are now some of the most precious memories I will ever have.  You later introduced me to Jean Scott who has become a close personal friend.  You were responsible for my sponsoring the first Annual Persons Day Event in the Fraser Valley - which will now be carried on in your name.  Alisa you reminded me of all the work that still needs to be done and then delegated some of that to me.  In hindsight, that was just a little tricky and you were a bit of a trickster.  I sort of suspect that Alisa will just carry on and continue to tap me on the shoulder from time to time and lots of the rest of us as well.  I know that all of us will respond because what really has happened here is Alisa has now delegated that which is left undone.  I will miss your phone calls so much Alisa and whatever work I do to further the rights of women and minorities will be in honour of you.

All My Relations, Rebecca

Thanks for sharing part of your life with me.  It was a great pleasure to be the best man at your wedding to Robert, and an honour to deliver the eulogy at his passing but I am not too thrilled to take part in your latest adventure.

Your curiosity and courage drove you to meet new challenges head-on and I am sure this one will be no different.  From the "Pink" apartments in Thompson to the motocycle ride across the country, you could always be counted on to see the adventure in new situations and to tackle them with a smile on your face.

Best of luck in your latest adventure.

Larry

Alisa was my friend, my colleague and my mentor. While she was the person who hired me when I first came to West Coast LEAF, she was never technically my boss...that didn't stop her from being bossy, of course. I loved her very much and will continue to aspire to be as dignified, respectful, thoughtful and good humored as she always was.

I can not escape having to accept her abcence, but it will be very very hard. Alisa was always there for me when I phoned or emailed her, whether it was about work, relationships, kids, health, or, more recently, to make me go for a run during a lunch break - she made the time to chat, give feedback, lend an ear.

Memories?

My very first interview with her when I walked in the door, shook her hand and thought, wow, I could work with this woman! She was so warm and thoughtful in her questions that I found myself being utterly honest about my being unsure about whether or not I was a good fit for West Coast LEAF...I guess she decided it would work.

The emails I would receive after every event and every mail out telling me what we'd done right and, occasionally, what we'd done wrong. Usually it was accompanied by a ridiculously self-effacing comment about what she did wrong too...that was the amazing thing about Alisa, she always let you know that every little thing was a team effort.

Walking with her along the sea wall, talking about life and love and the joys of things like the honour of having a dog.

Sitting across from me at a restaurant just two short weeks ago, telling me how much she loved Mark, and about how her first husband came to her to let her know how happy he was she had found Mark...

I will miss her more than even I know.

Here is the Obituary for Alisa that was submitted to the newspapers:

Noda, Alisa, sadly and unexpectedly was taken from us much too soon July 3, 2007.
      Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, September 14, 1956, Alisa grew up exploring the coastal waters of British Columbia on her father's fishing boat. She graduated from Gladstone Secondary School at the age of 16, after spending her school years in a program for gifted learners.
      After graduating from SFU, Alisa traveled to Thompson, Manitoba as a public school teacher but returned as an advocate for the First Nations community. She immediately pursued a law degree at UBC and was called to the bar in 1985. Eventually, through her practice, Noda and Associates, Alisa became one of the foremost authorities in negotiating Aboriginal Treaties and providing legal council for the First Nations communities of British Columbia and the Yukon Territories.
      Equally committed to changing the world through her volunteer life, Alisa worked tirelessly with Westcoast LEAF, a non-profit organization that works to make Canada an equal place for all women. The Nikkei Centre, a hub of Japanese culture and archives, was also fortunate to have Alisa's contribution as a board member.  Recently she accepted the role of President.
       Alisa was a world traveler, which fuelled her love for music, ballet, food and art. Her joyful appreciation for beauty infused every aspect of her life, from Monet paintings to crayon drawings on the fridge. Gardening, entertaining, singing and listening to opera, were among her many passions. She treasured quiet weekends at their cottage on Mayne Island with her husband Mark Lucier and beloved dog Juba, where she enjoyed her last day, walking the beaches and relaxing with friends.
     Alisa was first married to Roberto Toffolo, who later lost a battle with cancer. She is survived by her beloved and amazing husband Mark, mother Akiko, sister Rika (Duncan), brother Dwight (Stephanie), and brother Mark. Indulging auntie to Jessika, Tasia, Evan, Jenna, Gareth, Naomi, Miko and Kobe. 

I am completely numb as I am sure are all of us at the loss of our beautiful Alisa. I felt that we were kindred souls in many ways. Our lives had similarities and we shared a lot of social views of the world. When I met her over a decade ago and though I have friends I have known much longer, she truly was and is one of my dearest friends I have ever known. I know she will walk with me always.

To me Alisa represented everything that is good and so rare in the world today.. She was patient, kind, thoughtful, completely uncynical,genourous, introspective, supremely interesting and interested. She also had a great sense of fun and like me, liked to nourish that inner child! On the serious side, there was nothing that would stop her when family and friends needed her.. She also REALLY saw the good in everyone, everyone got the benefit of the doubt, no matter what. She was one of those rare individuals who lived and breathed her beliefs and she will always be remembered in an inspiring way.

We had many long heart to heart talks about everthing, solved many of the world's problems together, and we could shop till we dropped!(though in the end neither one of us was ever really that connected to the material things and we really knew it in a very deep meaningful way between us). She also was there for me through my battle with cancer last year, She was one of the wonderful ones who showed up, stayed and was totally real with me and my experience.

I will miss her so much but I will call upon her spirit often.. I wish I could be more eloquent but I hope that her family will know she will be in my heart forever.