January 08, 2010
Northwest Medical Center
Oro Valley, Arizona
Lisa Anne Wintory died Friday January 8th, 2010 at the age of 43 from a brain injury caused by a cardiac arrest suffered in 2006 just two weeks after her son Michael was born. A career prosecutor, Lisa brought justice to violent sex offenders, murderers and, as chief of the multi-county grand jury for the Oklahoma Attorney General, to corrupt politicians and “ghost employees.” In 2003, Lisa joined Richard in Tucson; in 2004, Lisa joined Richard in marriage, and in 2006, parenthood when Michael Gene was born whose Godparents, Jack and Napua Davis have been a constant blessing in our lives. With the help of their friends the Vetranos, they built a beautiful home surrounded by mountains and had a wonderful time doing it.
Lisa continued her career of protecting the public as Assistant Chief Counsel to U.S, Immigration and Customs enforcement in the Department of Homeland Security. Lisa deported convicted sexual predators, drug traffickers and other foreign born criminals from our communities and neighborhoods. Lisa was a “strong advocate for the Department” who won special recognition for taking tough cases of significance to the Department. Her supervisor described Lisa as among, “our most talented and devoted employees” who had “performed with distinction”.
Born in Norman, Oklahoma to Jerry Bob and Carmen Goodspeed, Lisa spent part of her childhood in El Paso where she learned to love the desert southwest and attended the elite Radford school for girls, she later followed a famous alumna of Radford, Sandra Day O’Connor, to work at the United States Supreme Court. Firmly bit by the law bug, Lisa followed Justice O’ Connors’s encouragement and after graduating from the University of Oklahoma attended Oklahoma City University Law School where she earned her Juris doctor. Lisa enjoyed lifelong friendships from her sisters of delta gamma sorority to her colleagues in law enforcement and prosecution. This was shown by the outpouring of support for Lisa after she fell ill. Sick leave was donated by fellow federal prosecutors, Border Patrol agents, other federal law enforcement officers and employees from across America who rallied to her cause. This time allowed her to keep her home to which she was able to return after more than a year of hospitalization and attempts at rehabilitation. Lisa was also supported by doctors, nurses, aides and therapists who took Lisa to their hearts and gave her wonderful compassionate care. They also provided impromptu childcare for Lisa’s son, Michael who became a favorite in every unit Lisa was treated in. Lisa was with Michael whose first birthday, Christmas and baptism were all at St. Joe’s in phoenix with Lisa at his side. While Lisa was never able to regain the ability to communicate with us, we hope she was able to perceive how wonderful her boy is and how much she is loved. After all the treatment and therapy man can provide failed to return Lisa to her life, and after she had returned back to her home with her loving husband, son and her amazing caregiver Patrice, God finally granted the prayers to do what man could not. This meant He had to bring her to Him, which leaves us profoundly saddened despite the relief that Lisa no longer must suffer, that she has been healed and can fully experience God’s Love with her father , Richard’s mother, Beverly and her beloved sheltie, Maggie who all preceded her in death. Lisa has left behind her husband Richard and their son, Michael. Mother Carmen Goodspeed and her husband Karl Sinclair, her brother and sister –in-law-David and Suzanne Goodspeed, their children, her niece and nephew Rylee Goodspeed and Collin Power. Rex and Shaggy Young, Uncle and Aunt, and Stephen and Larissa, cousins
A Memorial Service will be held 3:00 p.m. Wednesday January 13, 2009 at Vistoso Funeral Home, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd, Oro Valley. A Memorial Service will also be in Oklahoma City at 2:00 p.m. Friday January 22, 2010 at the Crossings Community Church. In lieu of flowers, donations to Michael’s Education Fund may be made to EdVest, c/o Wells Fargo (acct#0002727-2501065303), PO Box 55244, Boston, MA 02205. ("EdVest is for Education Investment.) Your gift to Michael must be mailed to Well Fargo; as your local Well Fargo Bank is unable to process it. I sincerely regret this inconvenience, but hope it will not deter your effort on behalf of Michael.
A Memorial Service will be held 3:00 p.m. Wednesday January 13, 2009 at Vistoso Funeral Home, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd, Oro Valley. A Memorial Service will also be in Oklahoma City at 2:00 p.m. Friday January 22, 2010 at the Crossings Community Church. In lieu of flowers, donations to Michael’s Education Fund may be made to EdVest, c/o Wells Fargo (acct#0002727-2501065303), PO Box 55244, Boston, MA 02205. ("EdVest is for Education Investment.) Your gift to Michael must be mailed to Well Fargo; as your local Well Fargo Bank is unable to process it. I sincerely regret this inconvenience, but hope it will not deter your effort on behalf of Michael.
This will be my last posting to Lisa Today. Please accept my thanks for your interest, prayers, well wishes and concern for Lisa and her Family, not only here in Arizona but in Oklahoma as well.
Sincerely,
Michael Wintory
Richard Wintory
Sherry Wintory
