Lisa Katherine Slater

Lisa Katherine Schmall was born in Kansas City, Missouri on November 25, 1952 to Henry and Carolla Schmall, their third surviving child, following sister Chris and brother Peter. By all accounts, Lisa was a spoiled youngest child, especially after she contracted poliomyelitis at about 15 months old, weakening her lower extremities. However, she overcame her disability through determined exercise, a behavior she would maintain for the rest of her life.

The family moved to Hawaii when Lisa was 9 years old, and then to Guam a year later, then back to Hawaii two years later. After her parents returned to the western Pacific when she was 13 years old, Lisa remained in Hawaii living with Chris, attending Kailua High School then the University of Hawaii, and helping to raise Chris’s two children, Zachary and Jennifer, whom she adored. Throughout her college years, Lisa worked in a synchronized swimming show at the Waikiki Sheraton Hotel.

In 1984, after living in Massachusetts for several years, Lisa moved to Oklahoma City, to be near Chris’s family, then residing in Edmond. She met Len on a blind date that year, but the timing was imperfect, as she was focused on finding fulfilling employment, rather than romance. Several years later, she asked him out to a Star Trek movie and dinner, and the relationship was kindled anew. Over the ensuing year, they spent much time together performing and volunteering at Carpenter Square Theatre, then surviving a renovation of Len’s house, before being married by Rabbi Shalman on the CST stage in April 1989. In December 1991, Elana was born, followed by Benjamin in June 1993. During her pregnancies, Lisa commuted regularly to Norman to earn her Master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.

Lisa loved parenthood, and she threw herself into every aspect heart and soul. As the children grew older, she became more and more involved in their public and Hebrew school educations, and from there she became increasingly involved in Emanuel Synagogue and its Sisterhood. She served in virtually every capacity for the Sisterhood, most notably running the gift shop, supervising the kitchen (with love but an iron hand), and completing a term as President. She also served multiple terms on the Emanuel Synagogue Board of Directors. She surrendered many of these roles only when illness took its toll.

Lisa was a devoted and loving daughter, niece, sibling, aunt, spouse, and mother, an ardent volunteer, and a generous friend to everyone. She touched the lives of so many, and she will be missed.