On August 23, 1955, Elizabeth Meri Cross was born at Stanford Hospital, bringing light into the world from her very first day. Later known as Lisa Cross Bonahoom, she danced through life with grace, compassion, and charisma until her last breath in the early hours of July 8, 2026, when she passed peacefully in her sleep after a ten year battle with ALS.
A graduate of Santa Clara University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Lisa lived a life too vibrant to be defined by a single title. She was an artist, performer, lead singer in a jazz band, magician’s assistant, makeup artist, costumer, choreographer, soccer referee, devoted mother, beloved sister, loving wife, and true friend. She was even a converted sports fan, loving the 49ers and the Sharks. Whatever role life asked of her, she embraced it with enthusiasm, generosity, and her unmistakable spark.
She never met a stage she couldn’t command or a stranger she couldn’t make feel like family. She believed there was always room for one more around the table, where music played, stories were shared, a top-shelf libation was poured, and great conversation lingered long into the evening.
If you had a need, she found a way to help. If you had a story, she listened. If you experienced a moment of joy, she celebrated it right alongside you.
Her legacy lives on through her husband, Bob, and her three children, Rhys, Ian, and Marisa, along with their growing families and all those whose lives she touched.
She will be profoundly missed, but the light she brought into the world continues to shine through all who knew and loved her.
A Funeral Mass celebrating Lisa’s life will be at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in San Mateo, California. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
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Lisa was a treasure who gave joy to all who were lucky enough to know her. My heart goes out to her family.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.