Obituary of Lisa McArthur

Lisa McArthur, a lifelong resident of Moberly Lake, BC, was taken from us suddenly on Tuesday, December 17, 2019, in Moberly Lake, at the age of 42 years. Lisa Marie Taylor was born on March 28, 1977 to Norma Podolecki and Raymond Taylor, in Victoria, BC. If anyone knew Lisa, you knew she always had a big smile on her face, she was always full of love and laughter. That laugh though will probably be burned into many of our brains for the rest of our lives as she was the one in the family to have one of the most contagious and loud laughs! Lisa spent most of her years living in Moberly Lake, BC which is where she called home. However, she did adventure out in her younger years to Merritt, BC where she went to college to continue her education. This is where she met the love of her life and best friend Adrianne McArthur. From there she brought him home to the family and the two continued to build a life together. In 2001 her first son, Colby arrived into this world. What a surprise that was for the whole family as no one even knew she was pregnant until Norma got the phone call from Adrianne in the delivery room telling her Lisa was in Labor. In 2007 is her second son, Oliver arrived, he sure was precious little one and Lisa couldnt wait to name him after her grandpa Oliver Gauthier. A strong name that young man carries with him today and he definitely suits it well. In 2010 is when the wedding bells rang and Lisa and Adrianne were married. It was one of the happiest days of her life. They shared that day with all of their family and friends, making memories that many will never forget. Even though some years later Lisa and Adrianne went their separate ways, they always remained the best of friends, even until the day she left us. Lisa loved Adrianne and her boys unconditionally and would have done anything for them. Lisa was not only a mother to her two sons but was a second mother to her late sister Crystals children; Reece, Ethan, Phinn and Gracie. After losing Crystal, she made a vow to watch over her children and love them as her own, which is exactly what she did. She was an amazing auntie to all of her nieces and nephews, she always made time for them, watched over them and took care of them as if they were her own. If you knew Lisa, you probably knew she came from a big family thanks to her dad having 10 children. They always joked about what number they were in the Ray Taylor clan and Lisa would always say I am Ray Ray #6. She loved all of her siblings so much and always spoke very highly of them. She loved going to the Island to visit and would always come back with so many memorable stories to share with the rest of the family. Lisa was a very respectful person, she treated everyone with respect and respected her Elders like no other. She was brave soul and was always up for a challenge. She was one of the most forgiving people we all knew, she never held a grudge or stayed upset. Lisa was rarely mad or ever upset. She looked out for her cousins like they were her siblings, even through the hard times. She took so much pride in loving all of her family members near and far. She always made sure she told her friends and family I love you even if she was just heading down to Crowfeathers and back, giving a quick phone call or leaving you a voicemail. Lisa had many friends, too many to name, but if there is one person she loved like a sister, and called her true best friend, her ride or die until the end, it was Naomi. Naomi and Lisa shared a bond, a friendship, a sisterhood and had nothing but huge love for one another. If anyone knew Lisa inside and out it would be Naomi. The two were so close and Naomi was Lisas rock, she relied on her for many things other then friendship and would have done anything for her and her son, Spencer, and Naomi was always there for Lisa when she needed her and loved her with her whole heart. Lisa was a proud First Nations woman and member of Saulteau First Nations, she worked for the Nation in various roles starting with being the Gauthier Family Councillor for one term. Later she spent many years working in the Lands department along side her best friend as the Lands Biologist Assistant. She loved the land; she was an advocate for the land an could corner industry anytime with her questions. She believed in our treaty rights; she had an important voice at the table when negotiating these rights with the province. She represented our Nation and fought for our Treaty Rights any chance she could. There was never a dull moment with Lisa, between her crazy quad rides, or losing everything she owns from her purse, to her glasses, her bank cards, cell phone and even her house keys multiple times. Even though Lisa had no license she sure managed to make her way around the rez, not even a flat tire or no head lights on her quad could stop her from making her way around. And when she ran out of gas or lost her sunglasses for the 5th time who did she go see? Papa Rick! Papa Rick always came to her rescue, he was always there to fill her tank or buy her new sunglasses. She sure loved her Papa Rick and knew she could go to him when ever she needed. Many locals in the community remember Lisa riding by on her quad with her big sunglasses, smiling, waving and yelling I love You at the top of her lungs to everyone she passed by. Her happiness, that smile, and her energy were very contagious, and she was definitely one who knew how to spread love, laughter and light on any situation. Lisa enjoyed many things in life, she loved her family & friends, she loved her community, she loved partaking in Pemmican Days and Culture Camp every year. She stayed true to her culture and traditions; she had a passion for playing pugeesee with her team AC pugeesee. Her favorite cree word was Kiam which meant Its okay she always seen the positive in any situation even when it wasnt okay. She loved her music and was always showing us her new favorite songs. She loved going on road trips to Dawson with her friends where she always had to get her McDonalds. Lisa was predeceased by her son; Tristan, sister; Crystal, brother; Jackson and both sets of grandparents. Lisa is survived by her parents; Norma, Ray & Rick, siblings; Diane, Cheryl, Janice, Hank, Niki, Patrick, Jess and Pat. Lisa will be missed dearly by many.May Lisa find her way through the gates of heaven and may the Lord open his arms to her. A prayer service was held on Thursday, January 2, 2020 at 7:00 PM at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. A Funeral Service was held on Friday, January 3, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Chetwynd, BC. Father Rene Antonio officiated. Lisa was laid to rest in the Lake View Cemetery, Moberly Lake. Lisas family invited everyone to the Saulteau First Nation Community Centre following the interment for a feast and to share memories of Lisa. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium Prayer Service 7:00 pm Thursday, January 2, 2020 Our Lady Of Peace Catholic Church Chetwynd, British Columbia, Canada V0C1J0 Funeral Service 11:00 am Friday, January 3, 2020 Our Lady Of Peace Catholic Church Chetwynd, British Columbia, Canada V0C1J0 Burial 1:00 pm Friday, January 3, 2020 Lake View Cemetery Moberly Lake , British Columbia, Canada V0C1X0