Obituaries

Lieselotte Meneguzzo, 82, of Sault Ste. Marie passed away peacefully on August 14th at her home surrounded by loved ones at the time she passed.

Lisa, as she was known, was born in Malchin, Germany in 1941 to Walter and Martha Ristow. At the age of 14, Lisa escaped East Germany, alone, and went on to live the following 3 years in a West German Catholic Convent that cared for young refugee girls. At the age of 17, a small Christian church in Bay City, Michigan joined many other American churches to sponsor refugee children who wished to become American citizens. The Hale family from that church took Lisa into their home for years and loved her well while she worked to gain American citizenship. Not long after, Lisa completed her childhood dream of earning a cosmetology degree. Following that accomplishment, she moved to Mackinac Island, Michigan, employed at Marylyn’s Island beauty salon. Lisa considered Mackinac Island home for many years where she found her life-long best friend, Annette Gillespie.

In 1967, Lisa met the love of her life, Michigan State Trooper, Paul Meneguzzo, who was the first Trooper stationed on the island. In 1970 they were married at the Little Stone Church and subsequently moved to Plymouth, Michigan where the couple raised their daughter, Michele, spending holidays and weekends at the cabin they built and enjoyed in Oscoda.

Lisa continued to work in her successful home-based salon while she and Paul raised their daughter and a group of her friends whom Lisa considered “daughters”, as well. Lisa made a home filled with love and her hospitality extended beyond her home in many ways. She enjoyed crocheting and knitting baby clothes and blankets for new mothers and after moving to the Sault she continued to make beautiful items for CareNet Pregnancy Center. Lisa enjoyed fishing, knitting, and sewing throughout her life and shared her gifts freely.

Lisa was predeceased by her parents Walter and Martha, her husband Paul and her brothers Hans Urachim and Rudi. She is survived by her brother Ulrich (Barbel), daughter Michele (James), grandchildren Turner and Jack, as well as many close family and friends.

One of Lisa’s last conversations left her family with great comfort that she loves Jesus. Great appreciation is felt by Lisa’s family for Chippewa County Home Hospice and the wonderful staff who enabled Lisa’s family to care for her at home surrounded by love.

Services will be held at the Mackinac Island cemetery this fall.