I was a sax player at Hampshire, and my first experience of Lise was hearing her play flute along with several other people in a musical setting.  I was struck then and at future times by the lovely sound of her flute playing and of her comportment.  She had a presence.  She was always smiling and positive when I saw her, and made the ups and downs of college life more pleasant.  Later after college we developed a nice friendship.  She was one of those positive, warm human beings that makes the world a nicer place.  I am deeply saddened by her passing.

When someone dies they are often described as an amazing person and so I’ve struggled to describe Lise to people who didn’t know her, on the verge of grabbing them and saying, “No, you don’t get it she really WAS an amazing person.”  When Lise and I first became friends I knew, though not consciously, that this was a person who was going to change the way I understood and felt about the world, and she did that in the most delightful way. 
One night in our college house we stayed up talking, talking, and talking. (When we said goodbye a year ago after a few days together in Great Barrington, she summed up our visit, “Still so much to talk about!”) At 4am, craving a sweet snack, we made Reese’s cups by putting honey and peanut butter on unsweetened baking chocolate. A disastrous trip to Easthampton in the summer of 78(?).  The weather was bad, the (sort of) boyfriends were annoying, the recreational substance got ruined, and I was in the crabbiest mood. 
Lise and I lost each other for a lot of years.  After we reunited, we sat on a bench in Tilden Park in Berkeley and she told me about the break with her sister, with sadness, but also with equanimity, and no bitterness.  And I thought, after all these years, I love her; I just love her.  I'm holding all those who loved her close to my heart.  Be kind to yourselves. 


I had the honor work being Lise stretch therapist through her amazing husband Peter. She was the kindest most loving soul. She always knew how to lighten the mood & make everyone laugh. She will forever be missed & never replaced. ❤️

Lise was one of my Mod Mates at Hampshire College in the '70s and had a huge black cat with white paws that she named George, in honor of George Foreman, as if the cat were wearing boxing gloves.  She had such a sparkle in her eyes and an ever present smile and gleeful look.  I will find a great picture of her in front of our mod (short for module, as in modular housing) and post it online soon.  I spoke to her a few times over the years, and she always greeted me with such a warm and welcoming tone.  May her memory be a blessing.  What a positive life force.

Lise was one of my closest friends at Walden High School, class of '74; we were a flute/harp duo  playing at graduations and the dedication of the Andrew Goodman building. I was stunned to learn of her passing and send deepest condolences to Lucy, Ben, Peter and all her beloveds. The bright light of her creative energy lives on and her memory will always be a blessing. With love, Bronwyn Jones, Maple City, Michigan

So many amazing memories of Lise during our friendship that began when we were only 11 years old. We both shared a love of the beach, reading walking and relaxing together, Drinking martini's and eating french fries, baking holiday cookies every year, chatting about family and dogs and helping each other get through challenging times. Lise was a shining light, a gifted writer and activist to say nothing of her amazing films. Always strong and resilient as well as playful and intuitive , her life and friendship was a great gift and I will miss her everyday. 

So many wonderful hours spent shooting and editing, enjoying the creative process, and changing the world just a little bit doing our UNICEF and homeless housing projects.  And all along the way, we talked and talked about everything that mattered—our families, our childhoods, our children, our children and partners, our goals and dreams, our physical and psychological health, our fears. I am so grateful for the rich and fulfilling hours we spent together. 

Love you  Lees-er. Your friend Mee-er (Mia)

Lise cherished friendships, and I was blessed to have her as a lifelong friend. I continue to think of her as such, now a friend now in spirit. 

When Lise and I met over the years —what she called a “gathering of the tribe”—our conversations were so easy to start and so hard to end. There was always another question, another idea, another insight that lit up her face in that radiant smile. So we talked on and inevitably I missed my train home and took a later one, still feeling the warm imprint of her parting hug.

I wish strength and comfort to Lise’s family and friends. May the sadness of the moment turn to the blessings of her memory. She brought light, love and laughter into this world. I think of Lise and see her smiling, always smiling, in a conversation that never ends. 

An exceptionally aware and brilliant person. A relentless investigator of what matters in life. Lise was filled with love for her family and for her friends. She was unafraid of speaking up. The world was made better because of you, Lise. —Cheryl Kaplan

OBITUARY

Lise Zumwalt Tuchman

November 8, 1956 – August 9, 2023

Riverside Memorial Chapel

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