Lisa Thompson Adams

After moving from Japan to the United States in 1962, Lisa grew up in Springfield Gardens, Queens, where she met some of her longest and dearest friends, and graduated from Springfield Gardens High School in 1975. She also was a proud graduate of State University of New York (SUNY) at Binghamton, where she completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology and made a few more lifelong friends. After college, Lisa served in various positions prior to working for the Walt Disney Company in New York City, where she enjoyed multiple years in the product licensing department. Lisa thoroughly enjoyed her time at Disney and showered many of her loved ones, especially her nephews and nieces, with all of the Mickey and Minnie gear and VIP access to its latest movie hits! Lisa left Disney in 1993 after meeting and marrying the love of her life, James, and relocating to the Washington, D.C. area.

Lisa played the flute, loved flowers, adored children, and had a green thumb. She was very creative, and breathed goodness and life into everything she touched. Among her many passions were scrapbooking, swimming, art, disco dancing (the Hustle), baking, cooking, traveling, and all things Japanese. Her proudest accomplishment and greatest creation was her son, Diallo, whom she loved fiercely and cheered on in every facet of his life. She adapted and encouraged his passions and, as a result, became a dedicated Yankee fan and theater lover. Family meant everything to Lisa; she, James and Diallo were a solid unit and enjoyed many adventures together over the years. Lisa traveled considerably throughout her life, including multiple journeys to Japan and a jaunt to China with her sisters, a tour of Europe (including France, Spain and Monaco), several trips to the Caribbean and Bermuda, and extensive travel throughout the U.S. She attended countless baseball games (Go Yankees!) from coast to coast, and took many road-trips to visit family near and far.

Lisa is survived by her loving husband of more than 28 years, James, and cherished son, Diallo. She also is survived by her aunt Katie Curry; siblings: Ellen Kawaguchi (Yasu), Yuwnus Abdus-Samad and Lynne Thompson Habtemariam; nephews and nieces: Asei (Haruna), Aki (Yusuke), Beniam M., Tigiste, Janelle, Justin (Nella), Beniam T., and Jabari; and countless extended family and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents and uncles Frank Thompson and Leroy Curry.

Lisa exemplified for us all the meaning of consistent and authentic friendship, kindness and care, and had a significant impact on more people than she will ever know. Truly, to know her was to love her; everything she was will be deeply missed and never forgotten.

“Oh, I can’t wait to see you again…it’s only a matter of time.” - from the Hamilton musical, which Lisa LOVED.

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