Lisa Dawn (Potten) Chan

Lisa Dawn Chan of Swan River, Manitoba passed away suddenly on June 24th, 2015 at the age of 30 years.

Lisa was born on December 21st, 1984 to Don and Bev Potten.

She grew up in the Swan River Valley and attended school at Heyes School for her elementary years, ESRSS for her junior high years and then graduated from Swan Valley Secondary Regional School. She went on to further her education attending The Academy of Learning in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan specializing in Business Administration in 2004.

Throughout her life she worked at various jobs making many friends along the way. While in Saskatoon she met the man she would later call her husband, Wah Sen Barry Chan. Together, in 2006, they moved to Calgary, Alberta where Lisa worked at a few retail stores including Canadian Tire, Staples, Sobey’s and then at their own radiator shop.

In 2007 Lisa and Barry celebrated their love with a wedding and Lisa entered the Chan family. They began to grow their family with Joey born first on October 14th 2011. Following the birth of Joey the decision was made that Lisa, Barry and Joey would move back to Lisa’s home, Swan River, Manitoba. Lisa went to work in the family business at Bee Gee’s Stationary and reconnected with all of her friends she had in Swan River and even made new friends along the way. Her family grew a little more when Linda was born on April 30th, 2015. Lisa was a devoted mother and wife. Her family meant the world to her.

Lisa was a woman with a variety of interests.  She loved music including vocals and piano. She was a big fan of the Disney musicals. She had a creative heart and she really enjoyed scrapbooking, knitting and various other crafts. She had so much love for her pets and she was especially proud of her participation with the Valley Stage Players and volunteering with the music festival.

Left to cherish Lisa’s memory are: her husband Barry and their children Joey and Linda; her parents Don and Bev Potten as well as many extended family members and a wealth of friends.

Lisa was predeceased by: her grandparents Albert and Margaret Potten and Bert and Chelta Larson.

The memory of Lisa will be cherished always and she will be greatly missed by all those who knew her.

A celebration of life service was held on Saturday, July 4th, 2015 at Heritage Memorial Gardens, Swan River, Manitoba. Paull Funeral Home Celebrant, Darlyn Hunt, officiated. In keeping with Lisa’s wishes, cremation has taken place and she will be laid to rest at a later date. Should friends so desire, memorial donations in Lisa’s honour may be made to ESRSS Daycare (Box 748, Swan River, MB R0L 1Z0) or to the Swan Valley Animal Protection League (Box 2735, Swan River, Manitoba, R0L 1Z0).

The Crafter

In the hands of a crafter you find all sorts of love

Ideas and gifts, inspirations and more

For treasures and keepsakes

You won’t find in a store.

For these were all made

With a person in mind

A gift you received

Because the crafter was kind

What looks like a mess

In the rooms that they work

is potential for projects

and one of their quirks.

Paper and pens, scissors and paints

Photos and glue, Yarn and crochet hooks.

Without all these items

There wouldn’t be scrapbooks

Or scarves for the winter

Or blankets for babies.

Warm gifts of love

The crafter’s made lately.

And one day you’ll notice

how cherished they’ll be

When their hands cannot make them

And their spirits gone free.

The gift of the crafter

Is taking a feeling

And making it touchable

So that you may find healing.

Author: DH