Lisa Rees
1965-2024
Lisa Marie “Lis” (Tremblay) Rees, 58, passed away at Beth Israel Lahey Hospital in Massachusetts on July 20, 2024, with her loving husband by her side. Lis was born in Burlington, Vt October 19, 1965 daughter of the late Joscelin and Madeleine (Barsalou) Tremblay.
Lisa graduated from Essex Junction High School and attended Champlain College earning an Associate degree in accounting and a Bachelor’s in finance. Lisa later attended Norwich University, and earned a Master’s in Public Administration.
Lisa worked for the Federal government for 36 years. She began her government career as an intern, working her way up to top leadership positions, including serving as a Leadership Coach. Along the way she oversaw the revision of the government’s travel program, bringing that program online, and then managed finance for Homeland Security. She regarded her work as Leadership Coach, the pinnacle of her career and her calling. Lisa’s true joy was working with people, and people loved working with Lisa as well.
Lisa retired from the federal government at the end of December, 2021. She established her own business/consulting firm, LTR Leadership, through which she continued her coaching work and taught classes and seminars on Emotional Intelligence. Lisa co-authored two books on Emotional Intelligence with David Caruso PhD, a developer of the MSCEIT: A Leader’s Guide to Solving Challenges with Emotional Intelligence and the Educator’s Practical Guide to Emotional Intelligence. Lisa took tremendous joy in her Emotional Intelligence work because it afforded her the opportunity to be creative with so many motivated, positive people while making real contributions to their lives and organizations.
Lisa was a lifelong volunteer. She was a lifetime Girl Scout, and often spoke of how valuable scouting is to the development of girls into strong young women and thoughtful leaders. Lisa was active in Mentor Vermont and played an important role in the development of several young women which brought her such joy. Nothing made her happier than seeing those girls move into adulthood, living their lives with confidence and success. She was truly proud of that work. Lisa also served on the board of directors of the Vermont Federal Credit Union, helping that organization grow and become more diverse. She volunteered extensively with the Milton Artist’s Guild, devoting countless hours pulling that organization back from the brink of closure, and was instrumental in recruiting the Guild’s current Executive Director. Lisa belonged to Good Shepherd Church in Jericho, Vermont, serving as treasurer and point of positivity and light.
Lisa was a devoted friend, companion and the light and love of her husband Grant’s life for 20 years. She loved travel, making every trip an adventure. Whether it was eloping to Mexico to get married, traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway by motorcycle, or all the other countless adventures in between, Lisa found joy in everything she did and everyone she met. This world is a poorer place without her. Lisa is sorely missed by everyone who knew her. May Lisa find Peace, Happiness, Love and Light in the hereafter.
She is survived by her loving husband of 19 years, Grant Rees of Milton, her sister Joanne Clavelle and husband David of Colorado, brother Donald Tremblay and his wife Annie of Illinois, her beloved mother-in-law Ruth Rees of Pennsylvania, nieces and nephews Lauren, Ryan, Michael, Joscelin and Jordan, grand nieces and nephews Juliet, Cameron and Ethan, several aunts, uncles and cousins.
There will be no public visiting hours. A memorial service was held on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Jericho with Reverend Dr. Derrick Fallon officiating. Memorial contributions in Lis’ memory may be made to the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, Williston, Vermont. Inurnment in the family plot will follow at St. Louis Cemetery, Highgate Center, Vermont. Please visit awrfh.com to share your memories and condolences.
Posted online on July 24, 2024
Published in Burlington Free Press