Wilmot — Lisa Marie Evans (née St. Germain) passed away on July 5, 2024, at the age of 84, in Laconia. She was born on January 25, 1940, in Granby, Quebec, and moved to Lancaster, New Hampshire, with her family as a child. Lisa met her late husband Rod in Winter Haven, Florida, where they were married after a brief courtship. They then moved back to Rod’s hometown of Wilmot, where she resided for over 60 years.

Lisa was a devoted wife, mother, and friend, known for her infectious sense of humor and her ability to make everyone feel like part of her family. She and her husband Rod were long-time hosts to children from the Fresh Air Program and foreign exchange students, enriching many young lives with their kindness and open hearts.

Lisa dedicated many years to her craft as a jelly-maker at Freedom Acres in Wilmot, before transitioning to a role that reflected her nurturing spirit as a nanny and caregiver for her granddaughter and many local children. Her love for nature was profound, and she often described it as her place of worship, finding peace and solace in the natural world around her.

A woman of many passions, Lisa enjoyed cooking, reading, knitting, and traveling, always eager to explore new places and cuisines. Her hand-knit blankets were cherished gifts among family, and her recipes will be savored for generations. 

An avid gardener, Lisa took pride in growing and canning her own vegetables. Her culinary skills were legendary within her family, particularly her homemade jellies, jams, and baked goods, which became a highlight every Christmas.

Lisa had many fond memories of trips that she and Rod took with friends, including multiple annual family trips to Florida with their good friends Stanley and Loretta Rayno (and their boys Doug and Glenn), annual camping trips to Bailey’s campground with family and friends, and the traveling that they did with her sister- and brother-in-law, Toots & Keith. She spoke of these trips often and cherished the memories of those times.

Lisa’s happiest moments were those spent with her children gathered around her, enjoying the simple pleasures of family and nature. Her love for the ocean and watching sunrises by the sea remained a cherished pastime throughout her life. Some of her most enjoyable moments were spent with her closest friend, Loretta Rayno, on their many shopping trips and most especially at Loretta’s camp on Big Diamond Pond.

She will be deeply missed by her children and their families, including her daughter Joyce and  husband Jeff; her son Steve and wife Rosa, and her daughter Natalie; and her three grandchildren, Cai, Christopher, and Madeleine; two great-grandchildren, Jasper and Alice; her sister-in-law Toots and her brother-in-law Duke; her dear lifelong friends Loretta and Joyce; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. 

Lisa was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rod Evans, her sister Alice Perras, her brothers, Serge and Allen St. Germain, her sister-in-law Betty Putney, her mother- and father-in-law, Dorothy & Carl Evans, and her parents, Anne & Maurice St. Germain.

Visiting hours were held at the Chadwick Funeral Home, 235 Main Street, New London, NH, on July 18.  Burial will be held in Pine Hill Cemetery, Wilmot, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Lisa’s memory can be made to the Humane Society of New Hampshire: www.nhhumane.org/, located at 1305 Meredith Center Road, Laconia, NH 03246. The New Hampshire Humane Society is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, and all donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law. This would mean a lot to Lisa, as she had a very special place in her heart for her adopted dogs and cats (and all animals) throughout most of her life.