Lisa DeProphetis

It is with profound shock and deep sadness that we announce that Lisa (Elizabeth Ann) DeProphetis (nee Sirkkunen), age 60 (young) years, a resident of Egan Street, passed away unexpectedly in the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on Wednesday April 1, 2015.

Born in Port Arthur on November 16 to Jake and Patricia Sirkkunen, Lisa was the oldest and self-proclaimed wisest of 6 children. It wasn’t long before the wrath of Lisa had her siblings agreeing that she was indeed the wisest. Lisa attended Vance Chapman Public School, Sir John A MacDonald Public School, Hillcrest High School and Confederation College.

Growing up Lisa especially looked forward to the weekend family boat outings to the Welcome Islands (B) on Lake Superior. This early exposure to the outdoors instilled a life-long love for camping, gardening and anything to do with the outdoors.

Growing up on Velva Avenue life-long friendships were made with all the neighborhood kids. Whether it was the gang hanging out in Donnie’s garage, parties at the house when her parents were away to planning horseback riding excursions for her friends, Lisa was at the centre of it all.

She was married to Ozzie DeProphetis for 19 years and they remained good friends until her passing. Nieces Kelly and Jenna Matson were honoured to have them as their Godparents.

After the birth of their only child AnnMarie, Lisa was a stay at home doting mother, taking her beautiful daughter everywhere, exposing her to all the things she herself loved in life. Once AnnMarie was in school, you would find Lisa behind the counter of StarTime Video, where she became known as the “movie lady” and to this day has kept those friendships that she made with her customers. Afterall, Lisa was a people-person who touched everyone who came into her life.

In November of 1993 Lisa began employment with Dougall Media, where she remained for 21 years of fun-filled service. Working in Sales, Marketing & Promotions, Lisa was best known for her numerous contest promotions and station events planning throughout the city. Year after year Lisa was the driving force behind Thunder Bay Televisions’ successful TV Auction. Social plans were put on hold during Auction time, as the devotion to her job was intense. She loved her position, she loved her co-workers like family. She became a mother-figure to all.

Lisa was the type of person that people could talk to; she was never stumped for words. After speaking with her you always walked away with your heart lifted and a smile just as bright as hers. She was a woman who was not afraid to experience life and follow whatever path it would take her. It was this sense of adventure that saw her on a whim in the summer of 2013 make a solo journey drive around Lake Superior, resting in Walmart parking lots and overnight campgrounds. And it was in Mexico where Lisa realized that depending which beach ... less really can be more.

A lover of all music, Lisa could always be seen dancing. Her many interests included camping, fishing, reading, cooking, gardening and sewing. Lisa had a very artistic hand; producing pages and pages of fashion and shoe design. And it goes without saying, she was a great party planner; we all enjoyed and will miss those times. She enjoyed watching Jeopardy daily and always shouted out the answer before the contestants did. Lisa was a cat lover; after the passing of Sammy (19) and Dawber (17) she adopted 19yr old orphaned Mogley who she is survived by.

Losing her mother at a young age, Lisa wore many hats in life; she was our matriarch, a devoted mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friend. She was most proud of wearing her mummu hat to her beloved grandchildren Jake and Mya. We all knew when Lisa was planning a trip to see her grandchildren as she would brag about it for weeks before she would go and for weeks after her return. She was most proud of them.

Lisa was the glue in our family and will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her father (and domino opponent) Jake Sirkkunen, daughter and son-in-law AnnMarie and Jamie Roberts, grandchildren  Jake and Mya Roberts, best friend Chris Ahrensback, sisters Wendy Glena (Doug), Karen Matson, Anne Sirkkunen, Jane Calnek (John) and brother Andre Sirkkunen (Brenda) as well as numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

Lisa’s Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday April 7, 2015 at 11:45am in the Solarium at the Slovak Legion, 801 Atlantic Avenue. Please bring your memories and stories of Lisa to share with us at this time.

In lieu of flowers donations to Thunder Bay Humane Society would be greatly appreciated.