Lisa Ann (Vrabec) Gamble
August 13, 1962 – June 29, 2020
Our bright light, Lisa, passed away on June 29, 2020. She was born in Calgary on August 13, 1962. We are all heartbroken.
She started school enthusiastically at Varsity Acres Elementary and graduated from Crescent Heights in Medicine Hat, AB. From there she pursued her higher education at Medicine Hat College, where she obtained her certification as a travel consultant. She began her career with P. Lawson Travel and AMA Travel. During this time, she gave back as an assistant teacher in the same travel certification program at Medicine Hat College from which she had graduated. She later moved to White Rock, BC to begin a lengthy career with American Express Corporate Travel, winning countless accolades and awards, including the company’s highest honor “Pacesetter” several times. In 1996 she met the love of her life, Ian Gamble. They were married in June 2001 in Vancouver, BC.
Lisa was a “Daring Doer”. She boldly set goals and promptly achieved them. She also gave generously of her time as a volunteer with the North Vancouver Police Dept, Special Victims Unit, and assisted with special needs children and adults at the Pacific Riding Therapeutic Horseback Academy in Abbotsford BC. Although she was an accomplished golfer and excelled at other sporting activities, Lisa’s passion was curling. She curled for many years with her dear friends in North Vancouver. She also worked tirelessly as a valued member of a core group of Curling Canada volunteers serving at major curling bonspiels and championships across Canada, including the Brier, Scotties, Nationals, and Worlds. She was enormously proud to be associated with Curling Canada.
An ardent traveler and adventurer, Lisa was determined to see the entire world. She experienced countless cities through her profession, and many other locales with Ian just for the fun of it. Lisa (along with her brother Greg) was the family event organizer, and happily kept us all in line. Spending many summers with family in Nags Head NC (OBX) was one of Lisa’s great joys. In 2006, she and Ian built a beautiful log home just south of Kamloops affectionately known as “The Ranch”, where friends and family could gather and spend special moments together.
Lisa was predeceased by her father, Mike Vrabec, in 1988, and by both sets of grandparents. She is survived by her loving husband Ian and their dog Leo. Lisa is also survived by her mother Jan Vrabec (Jim); brother Greg and Jodi Vrabec and their children, Curtis (Kara), Erica and Alison; sister Vickie and Rob Berger and their children Michael and Kalli; mother-in-law Mairi Matheson; brother-in-law Fraser and Mardelle Gamble and their children Kaiya and Angelina; sister-in-law Heather and Jim Kennedy; aunts, uncles and cousins.
Lisa’s nephews and nieces were extra special to her. She loved them all deeply. She will be dearly missed and loved by all those whose lives she touched.
Lisa was cremated near Kamloops, as was her wish. Her ashes will be spread at several cherished locations in BC and Alberta, and a final resting place will be established at Hillside cemetery in Medicine Hat where her dad rests. A celebration of life will be held in Whitefish Montana at the earliest practical opportunity. This will allow our many family members residing in the US to gather with many other friends and family to celebrate our beloved Lisa.
The family kindly requests that any donations be made to the Curling Canada Foundation (www.curling.ca/foundation/), a cause near and dear to Lisa’s heart.
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Death notice for the town of: Kamloops, Province: Colombie britanique