La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

Lisa Dawn Wooding was born on October 25, 1964 in Anacortes, Washington to Bill Wooding and Kaaren Wooding Malson and was joined by siblings: sister, Kari and brother Brent Wooding a few years later. After fighting a long lingering infection Lisa left on her journey to be with the Lord on April 6, 2018.

As a young girl she liked helping her mom around the house and riding with her dad in a dump truck where she usually fell asleep. She liked playing outside with Kari and Brent and neighbor Dale Johnson. While roaming the neighborhood they collected snakes and bugs in their bug collectors and then moved on to forts.

At the age of 5 Lisa had to wait to go to school the following year so she took piano lessons to keep her busy. She continued to play the piano throughout her life. At about the age of 10 Lisa picked berries and decided she wanted extra money so she took orders and made Macramé plant hangers, developing her first business. As she grew up she worked in the cucumber fields and then went on to West Shore Acres working for John Gardner driving a tractor.

Lisa graduated from Anacortes High School in 1983 with honors and went to college at U of W for two and a half years transferring to Washington State University; majoring in Communication. Lisa earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree cum Laude in December 1989 and was awarded the Phi Beta Kappa at Washington State University on April 26, 1990.

After a short break, she became partners in Bears n Friends in La Conner with Loralta Welk and after a couple of years became the sole owner. Loving teddy bears, Lisa really enjoyed entering into the Teddy Bear World becoming very knowledgeable in all bears especially the Steiff Bear. She traveled to Germany twice to The Steiff Festival, once with her mom Kaaren, niece Kelsy and friend Judy Card and the second time she went by herself joining many of her bear friends.

Lisa and Kaaren started Malson/Wooding Relay for Life team. Lisa worked very hard raising money for American Cancer Society and was the top fundraiser for many years. She always said: “I want to help those who have had to deal with the devastating disease.”

Lisa loved spending time with her family and friends. She decorated her yard on the different holidays especially Christmas and Halloween bringing joy to those who drove by. Lisa found time to be with her niece Kelsy Knudson and nephews Kyle and Kory Knudson. They brought so much pride and joy to her which gave her bragging rights. They all went to the carnival at St. Mary’s every year to play bulldozers. Lisa would spend hours collecting little toys so she could give them away on the 4th of July. She enjoyed Friday night pizza with her dad, family and friends and watching the Seahawks on Sunday.

Lisa was preceded in death by her grandparents, her good friend Sharon Howell, plus other relatives and friends she cherished.

Lisa is survived by her dad Bill Wooding and Vicki Grenier; Vicki’s son, Vern Grenier and his family; her mom Kaaren Malson and Jim Malson; brother, Brent Wooding sister Kari Wooding Knudson; nephews and nieces, Kyle Knudson, Kelsy Knudson and Dylan Halverson and Kory Knudson.

There are many aunts, uncles and cousins plus friends she thought highly of.

She most definitely cherished her family.

Lisa was a Special Person with a beautiful smile and an inspiration to all.

She will be missed by everyone who knew her.

We want to thank her physicians that stood by her for many years: Dr.

James Gross who was always on top of things and became part of Lisa’s life and a great friend.

She often said, “I don’t know what I would do without him.” Also, thanks to Dr.

James, Dr.

Rieger, and Dr.

Sweeney for keeping her in good general health; the Island Hospital Nurses; Dr.

Pottinger at the U. W Medical Center, Dr.

Marion Johnston, and Dr.

Kea and Team at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center who did all they could do to keep her going; Dr.

Rookstool, nurses and staff at Island Hospital ER. Lisa thought Dr.

Rookstool was a special ER Doctor.

He listened to her complaints and addressed them accordingly.

The family is very appreciative of your services while caring for Lisa.

In lieu of Flowers the family would like to request donations be made to Team Malson/Wooding, Anacortes Relay for Life, 13337 Deane Dr., Anacortes, Washington 98221. Viewing for Lisa will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at Evans Funeral Chapel on Friday, April 20, 2018. Funeral Service will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the First Baptist Church in Anacortes, WA with a Reception to follow. Private family interment will take place on Monday, April 23, 2018 at Fernhill Cemetery.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel of Anacortes, WA. To share a memory of Lisa, please sign the online guest register at http://www.evanschapel.com