A final homecoming for Lisa Mather

My name is Jana Urbanczyk Alphin, and I am raising money for final expenses for my sister, Lisa Jenee Mather. Lisa passed away on Dec. 29, 2022, in Asheville, NC, where she moved about five years ago after growing up and living in Jacksonville NC.

I had long feared this day despite recent signs of hope. The hope came from Lisa's own recent joy for life and from the loving eyes of her 11-year-old son Max and 5-year-old daughter Sadie. There has always been hope that they would be reunited with their mother.

Lisa is remembered by family and friends for her beauty on the outside, her warmth on the inside, and the vibrant force of her personality. She loved caring for other people, and her gift for helping others started with her smile. Her circumstances were not always easy, including the loss of her father, her step-father and her brother, but the close bonds she had with her own mother and with me were a big part of her life. She had moved to the mountains looking for higher ground to find herself and to launch a new start. Her life there included a new love interest who had provided her with steady, lasting love and support. She had found work in the hospitality business, eventually becoming a restaurant manager, not only giving her pride in her profession but also providing an outlet for doing what she loved best -- helping and serving others.

One thing her untimely passing has taken from her was the time to realize her dreams of reuniting with her children and completing her progress toward a better life. The unexpected end leaves our family not only with the pain from her loss but also unexpected financial expenses for bringing her back to Jacksonville for her final rest.

As her sister and her biggest fan, I will continue to take care of her children and love them as my own. As a single mom myself, the expenses are a daily challenge. For now, our focus is on getting her back home and starting a difficult transition with a fitting and righteous showing of love and respect. We are requesting help with

the final expenses; should there be any money remaining, it will go toward her children's upbringing.

We appreciate your support and warm thoughts for Lisa and her family and the wealth of friends who will miss her deeply.