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Lisa Morris of Rhinebeck and Gallatin, New York, died July 12, having fought cancer as audaciously as she attacked all challenges in her life. She was the daughter of Gitta Morris and the late Robert Morris of Guilford.

Before she died, Lisa assured her family that she had led a happy and interesting life and had experienced all she wanted to do. After a carefree childhood in Madison and Austin, Texas, Lisa became the first enrolled student at the Hammonasset School, a new alternative high school in Madison. At Bard College, she majored in art and sang in the choir and headed for New York City, where she worked as photo editor for eminent photographers and Teen People Magazine.

During her New York years, Lisa joined the World Seido Karate Dojo, fighting in tournaments in New Zealand and other countries. She earned her black belt, a discipline that undoubtedly prepared her for the travails of country life when she moved back to the Hudson River Valley 20 years ago. She bought a remote little farmhouse in Gallatin and embraced whatever jobs were available including—despite no prior experience—construction work, food catering, and dog boarding. These enabled her to indulge in her love of horseback riding tours in Cappadocia, Costa Rica, Spain, Italy, and Ireland.

Lisa met life with her trademark sense of humor, so evident in her personality, and which also was the basis of quirky drawings and charming memoir writing. She valued her friends as far back as childhood and continued to make new ones in the writing and other groups she joined in recent years.

During her final days, Lisa she was surrounded by her beloved dog, Lucy; her sister, Kristin Morris of Madison and Kristin’s partner, Jakes Srinivasan; and a constant stream of loving friends.

Contributions in Lisa’s memory may be made to Hudson Valley Hospice¸ 400 Aaron Ct. Kingston, NY 12401, whose tender care made her last days bearable, or to www.NY-PetRescue.org, through which Lucy and Lisa were brought together.