Lisa Dawn Faris

Lisa Dawn Faris, beloved wife and mother, passed peacefully at home on the evening of Sunday, June 23, 2024, surrounded by her loving family after a heroic battle with brain cancer. A 54-year life well-lived, God called this angel all too soon.

Lisa is survived by her husband of 34 years, Joseph A. Faris; and their son, Joseph N. Faris. She also leaves behind her mother, Clara Rafitz; sisters, Vicki Wilkinson (Bob) and Debi Beam; mothers-in-law, Patricia Otto and Paula Faris; a brother-in-law, Louis S. Otto (Sharlene); and several other members of the Rafitz, Faris, and Otto families. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Frank A. Rafitz; a brother, Frank B. Rafitz; and fathers-in-law, Joseph F. Faris and Louis A. Otto. 

Lisa was employed as a civil servant for the Defense Logistics Agency where she served our nation for 19 years. More importantly, Lisa supported her family for 23 years as a military spouse; this began in 1992 with the family’s first assignment to Ft. Bragg, NC.

Originally from southwestern Pennsylvania, Lisa was an avid Pittsburgh sports fan and loved attending an annual Steelers game with her family. She was also a loyal Pirates fan and always up for a hockey night in Pittsburgh. A natural golfer, just like her dad, she played whenever possible, with her favorite course being the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks. 

Family was paramount, so naturally annual vacations with them to Bethany Beach, DE, were special times. She really enjoyed traveling, visiting several places in the continental U.S. and beyond—Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Germany, Austria, Italy, and England. She took up photography and enjoyed capturing beautiful sunrises and sunsets from her home. Her big heart extended to animals too, spoiling all three of the family’s Boston terriers—Airborne, Tommie and Felix. 

Lisa’s family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the doctors and medical professionals at Lennox Hill Hospital, Penn State Hershey Medical Center and the Orthopedic Institute of PA (OIP), as well as the physical therapist and caregivers who helped along the way. 

The incredible support received from fellow coworkers and friends at the Defense Logistics Agency has been appreciated beyond words. 

There will be no services held at this time, and the family asks for privacy as they grieve and heal together. Rather, support is requested in the form of a donation in Lisa’s name to the Northwell Health Foundation’s Brain Tumor Research Lab & Biotech Center at http://support.northwell.edu/braintumor.