BANGOR – Lisa Yvonne Raven, 52, beloved wife of Victor Vardamis, passed away Dec. 21, 2011, at her home after a long battle with brain cancer.
Lisa was well-known in Maine and beyond for her watercolors and stained glass creations. Born in New Jersey Lisa graduated from West Caldwell High School and Centenary Junior College. After graduating from Springfield College in Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Arts in art therapy, Lisa worked as an art therapist at United Cerebral Palsy in Neptune, N.J. She gradually established herself as a freelance artist in Bangor, exhibiting and selling watercolors and later her stained glass. Lisa had a deep passion for nature and this passion was expressed throughout many mediums of her artwork. She also loved gardening and spent her free time with her husband in their back yard planting and designing, then sharing it with friends and family. Lisa was a volunteer at Eastern Maine Medical Center in the hospice services for several years after her first brain surgery. She enjoyed helping others to express their creativity though various art forms. She encouraged and supported many through their health struggles by enabling them to create beauty from their trials. Lisa accepted and enjoyed everyone unconditionally. Many long lasting relationships were made from her kind and endearing personality, as well as her years of volunteering and providing lessons in art. Lisa’s wish was always to build others up and to have the time and ability to give of herself more. She was a beautiful person.
She is survived by her loving husband, Victor; her son, Christopher R. Gray of Bangor; her father, Harry M. Raven; her sister, Leslie M. Raven, both of Brick, N.J.; and by her stepchildren whom she loved dearly for the unique and talented individuals that they are. Her mother, Wilma I. Raven, died April 4, 2011. Lisa’s family and Victor are grateful for all the help with her care and compassionate support from her many close friends and her hospice services that cared for her.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date in Bangor.