Lisa Jean (McCabe) Gifford, passed on September19, 2024, at her home in Portland, Oregon from Pancreatic Cancer.. She was born January 12, 1955, in The Dalles, Oregon.

A celebration of life will be held at 12 Noon, Friday, October 11, 2024 at the Heppner Elks Lodge with a meal provided.

She was raised and attended school in Heppner, Oregon, where she graduated in 1973. Her young years were spent teaching swimming to students during the summer months. She then worked part time in Central Market where her father and brother worked as butchers, managers, and owners. The first full-time summer job during high school was living with and working for Mahoney's, where she had cooking and cleaning lessons, and then had the surprise of learning to drive the wheat truck during harvest!

After graduation, Lisa began her business career in accounting, followed with Morrow County Court, and then continued her career by establishing Medical Clinics first in Prairie City, followed by a Medical Clinic later expanding to Urgent Care in Hermiston. She was the leader of the pack of twenty employees, most of whom called her "Ma"!

Her adventurous personality took her to many places in North America, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Pacific. An avid boater, she notably piloted and was solo skipper, down the Columbia River, through four dams, over the Columbia Bar, and up the Pacific to Canada! Her love for sports was equally extensive, engaging in swimming, sailing, bicycling a 100 miler through the Blue Mountains to Heppner, running, skiing, kayaking. Let's not forget her fishing, catching John Day Steelhead, ocean salmon, and hunting Eastern Oregon Deer, Elk, and Antelope trophies!

Above all, Lisa cherished time with her family, and close friends. She adored her four grandsons and loved to share time with them. Her hobbies and travels were often shared with them and her son and daughters, creating lasting memories.

Lisa is survived by her husband, Joseph, daughter, Emily Heryla, with grandsons George and Oliver, stepdaughter Maisie Vanderhoof (Ryan), with grandsons Aidan and Dylan, stepson Lionel Gifford, sisters Pam Doherty (Jim), Laurie Wilson (Dan), brother John McCabe (Sonja) . She was preceded in death by her parents Ernie and Mary Jean McCabe.

Lisa's life was marked by her vibrant spirit and her enduring impact on her family, team members, friends, and community. Her legacy will continue to inspire all those who knew her.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Oregon Division Inc., 0330 SW Curry St., Portland, OR 97239 or to St. Jude Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1492