Lisa Diane Heyborne (Griffin)
April 10, 1971 - December 13, 2023
Our beloved daughter, mother, wife, friend, and favorite teacher passed away on December 13th. Lisa Diane Thomas was born on April 10, 1971, in Pasadena, Texas to Jane and Gene Thomas.
She grew up loving the mountains in Colorado and graduated from Air Academy High School in Colorado Springs. She attended the University of Minnesota, where she obtained her Bachelors Degree in Journalism. Then on to the University of Phoenix, where she obtained her Masters Degree in Education.
After substitute teaching in California, she continued her love of teaching at Riverview Junior High and then on to Murray High School for a span of 23 years. Lisa was a devoted, dynamic, fun and passionate educator who was loved by many. Lisa saw the potential in every student and worked hard to ignite their curiosity, bring relevance and joy to their learning and instill in them the love of language. She was more than a teacher; she was a life-long mentor.
Lisa lived life to the fullest and never took anything for granted. She loved and adored her two beautiful daughters, Hailey and Delaney, beyond measure. Family time and raising them always took top priority, always preparing them for their future.
We all admired her courage and class throughout these last five years of battling cancer, not letting anything stop her, whether it was soccer games, soccer tournaments, teaching, traveling, skiing, hiking, going to concerts or driving all her daughter’s friends to wherever they wanted to go.
Our hearts are broken, but we know the impact she has made onthe lives of her daughters, family, friends and students is her everlasting legacy and she will never be forgotten.
Lisa is survived by her two daughters, Hailey and DelaneyHeyborne, her parents Jane and Rod Dale, Hailey and Delaney’s father, Clint Heyborne and their stepfather, Graig Griffin, her sisters Wendy Dale, Laura Thomas, Lana (Mark) Taylor, and Kathy Jo Bosserman along with aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews who loved her as well. She is preceded in death by her father, Gene Thomas and brother, Robert Dale and beloved grandparents, Arthur and Imogene Thomas, and Everett and Fidelis Johnson.
She always had a smile on her face, so please feel free to share a story or memory.
She will be reading them all from heaven……
A Celebration of Life will be on Friday, January 5th, from 6 – 8 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Millcreek. Guests are encouraged to use parking and enterance located on the north side of the building. In Lieu of flowers, please read and/or share a book, go on a hike, watch a movie, go to a concert, hug your cat or dog, and consider a donation, in her name, to the Humane Society or Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
In Loving Memory
I knew Lisa when she was first born in Pasadena, Texas as me and her father were as close as brothers. I was around Jane quite a few times way back then. I did get to see Lisa when her Dad was sick and she had came in to see him. May you rest in peace Lisa as you led a wonderful life here on earth and meant so much to so many people!
I just posted two pictures over on the Photos page (be sure to click on them) from our trip to Turkey, Greece, Croatia & Italy. Hard to believe it was just a short two months ago and they sum up how great, fun & funny Lisa was. Always loved the outdoors, biking, hiking & skiing with you and your family. Music, concerts, the theater, always out for more experiences in life. Supporting those soccer players, her own two and the local professional mens & womens team. I am a lucky latecomer to the Heyborne/Griffin team and will be forever grateful for the time spent with you. Thanks for getting homebodies Wendy and I out and about town & trail! Hugs to Jane, Hailey, Delaney, Loki, Thor & Lola. ❤️ (Okay, I'm not going to hug the cats, but maybe a pat on the head if he doesn't bite me this time). We miss you Lisa!
Lisa was one of the most amazing teachers I had in middle school. She was my 7th and 8th grade English teacher and in 9th grade, I was lucky enough to be her teaching assistant so I could still be in her classroom. I didn't have a very good experience in middle school but her class was always a safe place and her kindness helped me survive a tough time. She always encouraged my voracious reading and I donated many books to her classroom library. Though it has been many years since then, I still think of her often and am grateful to have known and learned from her.
Sincere love and admiration for this blue-eyed-beauty - who was not an idle participant in this life. We love you Lisa. We are thankful you touched our lives, and we aspire to be more like you.
I love you my sweet friend. I'll always remember your smile, your spirit and your never ending positivity. Nothing could stop you or get in your way. You're always in my heart, and I'm so grateful for the times we spent together. Love you! See you in the stars, the sunshine and all the beautiful things in the world.
Lisa was my English and journalism teacher during my senior year of high school. Thanks to her passion and encouragement, writing/English became a subject that I once dreaded and evolved into something that I have an undying passion for nowadays. Through her courses, I was able to hone in my skills as a writer and excel in both academic and personal settings. I thank her all the time for what she's done for both me, and countless other students. <3
I was neighbors with Lisa and her daughter. I would walk to school with hailey everyday and we became the best of friends. Everytime I went over to her house, Lisa welcomed me with open arms. She always wanted to hear our drama and rant about boys. I always felt so loved by Lisa. She was definitely a light and she raised such an amazing daughter who I get to call my best friend. I'm so happy that I was able to meet Lisa and create a good relationship with her and her family.
I had her all 3 years of highschool at Murray man this hurts idk what to even say other than thank you for everything you did I'm honored to have been your student.
In Loving Memory
