Oncoming death is terrible enough, but worse still is oncoming death with time to spare, time in which all the happiness that was yours and all the happiness that might have been yours becomes clear to you. You see with utter lucidity all that you are losing. ― Yann Martel , Life of Pi

It is with profound sadness that the family of Lisa Lynne Adams Thompson announces her passing on Monday, November 29, 2021. She is survived by her four children, Audrey, Morgan, Garrett, and Reese, her husband Greg, and her sisters Donna Fisher and Debbie Burke. As an elementary school teacher and writer, she dedicated her life to cultivating the success of others inside and outside the classroom.

She is remembered for her unwavering dedication to her children, teaching, her determination and work ethic, her unmatched organizational ability, her passion for training dogs, her sewing and needlework, and writing.

Lisa was a graduate of Davie High School and completed her B.A. in Education from UNC Charlotte. While in high school and college, Lisa was a cheerleader, and through this experience she developed a life-long love of dance.

Lisa dedicated much of her life to her children, taking the lead in their education from the beginning. She established Porter Road Academy and homeschooled her four children through high school, encouraging them to strive for both academic and personal achievement.

Lisa's success as an educator was clear from the achievements of her students: Audrey went on to complete a B.F.A. in Theatre with Honors and an M.S. in Adolescent Education, Morgan went on to complete a B.A. in English with Highest Distinction, Garrett completed a B.Sc. in Computer Science, and Reese completed both high school and her associates degree at Pender Early College with academic honors and is now pursuing a bachelor's degree at UNC Chapel Hill.

Following this success, Lisa fulfilled her ambition to become a classroom teacher at W.G Pearson Elementary School in Durham, NC where she taught second grade. She also served as a teaching assistant at Malpass Corner Elementary School in Burgaw, NC.

Lisa loved her dogs Jet, Rocket, Tucker, and Dashial, and had a passion for dog training and helping animals in need. She was an active member of the Azalea Dog Training Club for many years, and served as the club secretary, in addition to training Jet, her prize-winning agility dog. Lisa rescued and fostered dozens of dogs and cats, sacrificing her personal time and resources to help them find forever homes.

She loved to knit, crochet, and sew—skills that she used to create blankets, clothing, costumes for theatre productions and tutus for the Wilmington Ballet Company. When her children were young, Lisa attended every rehearsal, class, or performance without fail. Audrey and Morgan recount how, when they were younger, she would usually be found in the dining room at her sewing machine completing costume alterations, sewing new costumes, or challenging herself to make new things. Today, Lisa's costumes can still be seen onstage—worn by the next generation of performers.

It is Lisa's writing that captures so much about who she was and the impact she hoped to make for people who have cancer. She ran an award-winning blog about metastatic breast cancer called The Cancer Classroom.

The following is an excerpt from her blog which captures the reasoning behind each post she carefully planned, composed, and shared:

"Throughout my life, I have often taken my thoughts and written them so I could sort out my feelings as I wrote. Cancer of course began a period of much writing. When I started to blog about my worst cancer diagnosis, I wanted to give people I know an explanation of why I had disappeared from public view if they were interested and because I didn't feel comfortable telling every person I saw, "Oh, by-the-way, I am stage IV." I also thought this was a good way for people to find out how I was doing. With a blog, anyone who might be curious can find out without having to awkwardly ask, "How are you doing?" I thought as well it might help someone somewhere in this world struggling as I am with this disease.  I have spent many hours reading the blogs of others with stage IV breast cancer. Although depressing at times, it has been helpful to me to read about how others cope and what happens to the body as the disease progresses. It helps me prepare for what might happen to me. I like to be prepared. It also helps to know that there are others experiencing the same life-altering horror. There is comfort knowing I am not alone. Research has shown writing about one's bad experiences can be therapeutic. With blogging, I am telling many people about my burden, my experience, giving it away to anyone who reads my words. My thoughts are released, emotions explored, and coping strategies discovered.

As my disease progresses, there will be more of my story to write.  It will be difficult to write and live, but it is my story.  Certainly, I wish I had a different one to write. Just like happy stories are waiting to be told, so are sad ones. This is mine."

She brought joy, happiness, support, and inspiration to her family and friends. She will be forever loved and missed.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

You are invited to sign the online guest book.