07/06/2020

Remembering Lisa Lepine, mentor, manager, publicist, pro-motion queen, friend...dead at 58 / July 5, 2016

By TOM D'ANTONI // Her talent for putting people together made her one of the most important figures in Oregon music for decades. "Dream. Do. Dazzle." We mark her July 5, 2016 passing.

The Waterfront Blues Festival had just wrapped up in its usual blaze of glory when the 4th of July fell on a Sunday. After spending four days working the OMN booth, I was bone-tired. Lisa Lepine, friend to all Oregon musicians had been fighting cancer and had just begun chemo. I dragged myself into the house only to receive a phone call that she had taken a turn for the worse and I should come to the hospital. I said what amounted to my last goodbyes to her. She died the next morning.

I had sworn never to write another obit, but what else could I do?

-- Tom D'Antoni

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Lisa Lepine died this morning from complications after surgery for Grade 3 Stage 2 Endometrioid Carcinoma, uterine cancer. She had survived the surgery and had started chemotherapy but had developed an infection. Her immune system had been compromised and she did not survive the infection. She was taken off life support, per her advance directive, surrounded by family and friends. At the end they all sang "Amazing Grace" and the devices were stopped on the final note of the song.

Known by the entire Oregon Music industry as a tireless advocate for music and musicians, she had the unique talent of introducing people to others they should know and who might help them. She helped guide the careers of countless musicians and in turn, journalists who relied on her expertise, her compassion, inspiration and good humor.

Lisa was a unique woman and will never be forgotten.

She was a fighter and always positive and optimistic. In a June 3 email she wrote:

I trust my doctor - he seems to be one of the best and brightest in his field. His point of view is to mitigate any risk of recurrence and he has a sense of urgency due to the aggressive nature of my cancer. He is treating my case as if I was his mother!!

She began her cycle of chemo on June 23. In an email she wrote:

I am grateful for ObamaCare. Barack Obama, I love you.

I am grateful for the circle of friends who have helped me so gracefully with this first phase post operative.

I am grateful for my new mattress and new bedside music system!

I am grateful for my garden brimming with healthy greens for me to eat!

I am grateful for the visit of my dear friend who fixed all the things that were broken in my household and simplified systems so I will be more comfortable in the coming months.

I am grateful for Clarissa Pinkola Estes whose healing voice has been lulling me to sleep every night and filling my soul with her ideas about “The Joyous Body.” It is like having my own personal Lady of Guadalupe whispering to me nightly.

I am grateful to you and all my beloveds who send their prayers and good wishes to me across the many miles or just across town.

I feel supported and loved.

In another email she said:

Many blessings to all of you - who have your own paths of challenge both energetically and physically every day.

Be kind to yourself. Be kind to each other

In the final email sent to her friends on June 24, she said:

I know I have many in spirit with me on the journey!!

I follow the path. And it is golden.

Dream. Do. Dazzle

She was friend and counselor, mentor and manager, inspiration and positive force in the lives of everyone she touched. It would take a book to list all of the musicians and others in the music industry who loved her. Please take a moment and give us your thoughts at the bottom of the page.

Here is a video interview from 2011. She explains what her role was in music.