Lisa Ann Richards

FULTON – Lisa Ann Richards, 68, of Stow passed peacefully surrounded by loving family members, into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 22, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Katherine LaBeef of Fulton, New York.

Lisa was a 1974 graduate of G. Ray Bodley High School in Fulton, NY. She originally studied Dance Performance at the State University of New York at Brockport. Thereafter, Lisa received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature from Wells College in Aurora, NY.  She continued her education by receiving a Master of Science in Education at the State University of New York at Oswego, NY.

After relocating to Ohio in 1985 for her husband’s work, Lisa for the next 8 years directed all her passion, focus, and energy to lovingly raise Bethany and Ryan. Lisa returned to her love of teaching in Stow touching young hearts and minds at Stow Alliance Preschool and Holy Family School. Lisa then began her 30-year legacy of teaching English and Advanced Placement courses at the Stow-Munroe Falls High School. Teaching English was her passion, one to which she wholeheartedly devoted herself to in every way she could. She strove to impart to her students the ability to read, discern, and express themselves through the written word. She challenged her students to be better versions of themselves and never settle for less. Her classroom was not just a place, it was crafted with intention: warmth to nurture the hearts and souls of students, multi-colored walls adorned with artwork of iconic literary symbolism and her favorite Ragdoll cats Cosette and Maximus to inspire creativity, and a large tiger version of Richard Parker from the Life of Pi to bring literature to life. The success of her career is demonstrated by the adoration of her by many current and former students – even spanning generations. Her legacy speaks for itself in the halls and classrooms of Stow Munroe Falls, rippling outward into the very field of education itself, and her absence will be terribly missed.

In addition to her loving husband, Christopher of 44 years, she is survived by her daughter Bethany (Dustin) and granddaughter Ivy Zadai of Stow, Ohio and Ryan (Kayla) and grandsons Cade and Rhett Richards of Austin, Texas. She is also survived by her brother Barry (Denise) LaBeef of Mundelein, Illinois, and their daughter Katie (Kyle) LaBeef Trafton and daughter Luna of Billings, Montana, and son Joseph LaBeef of Mundelein, Illinois.

Calling hours will be held Thursday March 6, 2025 from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Living Vine Community Church, 4460 Stow Road, Stow 44224. A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at Living Vine Community Church, 4460 Stow Road, Stow 44224.

The arrangements are in the care of the Redmon Funeral Home 3633 Darrow Road, Stow Ohio 44224 (330-688-6631).

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