The KSC community is saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of Lisa Henkel from heart failure on October 30. Lisa was a student, an alumni, an employee, and the beloved daughter of KSC music lecturer Sussan Henkel. Lisa was also an inspiration. She worked in the Office of Disability Services using adaptive technology, helping to develop materials in Braille for vision impaired students. Her particular talent was in translating math and music, a difficult enterprise requiring knowledge and skill but made effective by her connection to the students she served.
Memorial services were held this morning (Nov. 4) at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Church in Keene.
Lisa was a wonderful mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters for many years matched with the same Little Sister, Allison! She provided amazing activities and friendship and will be truly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this very sad time.
Lisa was a great addition to our staff at the Office of Disability Services (ODS) and she was very valuable to us. She contributed her special talents to assist students with visual impairments and worked very closely with them to help them understand the materials. She always told me how much she loved her job at ODS – she was always in a positive and cheerful mood and spread happiness wherever she went with her big smile. She’d always stop into my office to say hi and would ask how things were going. I won’t forget all the kind words and encouragement she gave me, and especially her laugh that was so full of life. I manage our notetaking program in ODS but was also fortunate enough to work with Lisa in our office while I was also editing some alternative text format books for our students with disabilities. We all attended Lisa’s memorial service this morning and it was very comforting to share memories of her cheerful life with everyone that was touched by her life. On behalf of everyone here at ODS, we’ll all miss her.
Lisa was a wonderful woman and so smart. She had a laugh that you never forget no matter how long you have not heard it and it was sorely missed. She had the intelligence to do more than most people out there and had a huge heart to help those in need. She was always looking to expand her horizons through learning.
I will miss her greatly.
Howard