I'm shocked, Chris, and sad for you, the boys and the whole family. The circle of life is too often too short. Lots of love being sent your way, and a BIG hug. I pray for your swift healing.

I am so very sorry to learn of the passing of Alisa. I met her during my role in Forestry way back 2008 Alisa made me feel welcome with smile in her face. Please know that I send our sincerest condolences and that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Alisa really built up our Division and made it a place that was welcoming and great to work in. She transformed the work area and it is still a great place to work even after she moved to another department. This was alsways her touch and legacy, to bring positivity with lasting impact to everyone and everything she encountered. She will be greatly missed.

I was lucky that Alisa was my first ADM during my first policy role after graduation and transition from being a STEP student to policy analyst. Alisa made me feel welcome immediately. She continued to mentor me and check in after she left the department for Public Health. I greatly enjoyed our chats from the latest Taylor Swift news, chats about life, to our office "hangperson" games. Her sense of humour helped our team get through the day from the stressful days to the mundane days. I always appreciated the opportunities she gave me from projects to career opportunities. She always wanted to help those succeed and reach their potential. She always made every member of the team feel important and valued no matter their position. Alisa deeply cared about her staff as people - she greatly cared about everyone's wellbeing. Alisa had a way of connecting with every person she met. We will all miss hearing her laugh, jokes, stories, advice, and encouragement. Alisa you will be greatly missed.

Alisa was a great leader but more importantly an amazing person. Alisa and I started together in the department that looked after Mines. She taught me how to walk the fine line between pleasing your Deputy Minister while engaging properly with staff and stakeholders. I left Alisa to work on a new Public Service Act and lead an investigation team to improve workplace investigations. Alisa was supportive and then brought me back to the Department of Labour and Immigration when she became Assistant Deputy Minister introducing me as her right hand. She cared about people at work and I’m fortunate to be one of those people. Professional relationships aside, Alisa was my kind of dark hilarious wit. She was born in 1976, as I was. In a diverse workplace she was a constant for getting and making the same references as each other. She started the daily office “huddle hang-man” and she’d make the most obscure clues. Younger staff had no idea what she meant with “Aster War Amps Play Safe Commercial.” She was also a good friend. She invited me to a full-course meal cooked by Red River culinary students that her partner Christine attended for work. I almost always say no to an invite but I knew an evening with her would be the best entertainment and company one could ask for. Alisa was proud of her family and we got to know them through her. She’d make sure she told us stories Of traveling in Utah, the muppets she made with her family, and our shared connection with sons in the Reserves. Alisa, I miss hearing your laugh already. Your greatest gift for me was opening the door to opportunities I had (often with you) that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Condolences to anyone who got to know and love her and especially to her immediate family. Rest in Peace to my Director, ADM and friend. The Public Service, and as a result all Manitobans, are better because of you. Jay Short “Gang”- Posted by: Jay Short (Staff and Friend) on: Nov 16, 2024

It was such an honour to have worked with Alisa for close to two years. I remember clearly my first day at Labour when I was warmly welcomed by Alisa. She told me she started out as a STEP student as well and she promised a bright future ahead of me. Thanks to Alisa, it did not take me long to feel like I belonged at the office. She threw pizza parties every month and enthused about the best pizza places in the city. To beat the mundane days, Alisa initiates playing hangman at the office, naming it "hangperson". We would make jokes unfettered about life (like her playing for a band named the Royal Winnipeg Porn Orchestra) and her funny work adventures. Some of my favourite memories with her were our continuous jokes about the infamous and risqué Picasso painting in our office. No one felt left out when Alisa is around, even I as a student. Most of all, she was an inspiring role model for me as a woman-of-colour and other women-of-colour as well. Alisa will be dearly missed. I already miss her infectious laughter at the office. Rest in peace, Alisa.

My sincerest heartlfelt condolences to her family and friends. When I heard of Alisa's sudden passing I became deeply saddened. Alisa was one of a kind and always made me feel like I was important, heard and cared for. Alisa never made me feel like I was beneath her. Her kindness was a ray of sunshine. When I left GOM in July she kept in touch and continued to be the kindest soul you would ever meet. It is so difficult to find someone that has such sincere beautiful qualities these days, she never put herself first. Alisa will be missed tremendously. "Gone too soon, but the love and memories of Alisa will live on forever."

My deepest and heartfelt condolences. I had the privilege of working with Alisa during her time as our Executive Director and enjoyed our conversations afterward. Alisa accomplished an incredible amount in her brief time with us; she will be greatly missed.

My thoughts are with Christine, Michael, Matthew, Dianne and Alisa's family and friends. I had the pleasure of meeting Alisa twice - once at a retirement party in her home where she was a very gracious host and made me feel very welcome in her home. Although it was my first time meeting her, she quickly made you feel like you had known her for many years and was very kind to me. The second time was at the Pride Parade where once again she was so welcoming and kind. The slide presentation clearly showed her love for life, her fun experiences, her love for animals and family and that kind lovely smile. She will be missed by so many and has been called to heaven far too early.

While I never had the pleasure of meeting Alisa, it feels as though I know her through her wife Christine. Christine would share stories of the joy and compassion Alisa brought to her life, and we had distant connection through some shared young adult queer novels we'd both read and enjoyed. Alisa sounded like a bright light and incredible human who will be sorely missed.

My deepest condolences and sympathies to Christine and Alisa's family as they grieve this immesuarable loss.

Deepest condolences to the family. Alisa generated a spark of joy, inspiration, commitment, and energy wherever she went, as exemplified by one of her sayings: "Do great things." Alisa will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing or working with her. She's left us far too soon.

I met Alisa in about 2007. We had an immediate connection & were fast friends & trusted public servant colleagues. We shared a deep love of animals & rescues. I remember when Serge Scrafield came to get my "forester" opinion of whether he should bring her in as the director of forestry branch. I quickly said "Do it! They need her!" And he did & it was great! My last conversation with her a couple of weeks before she died, she said that of all the public service roles she'd had, public health was the hardest. But she understood the critical value of the work. I'm sad that my sister died before she had a chance to work with Alisa in public health - the two of them together would have been amazing. I will miss my friend. Hugs and condolences to Christine and family.

Dianne, Ric and family.....we are so very sorry to learn of the passing of your dear daughter and sister Alisa.

Please know that we send our sincerest condolences and that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

I had the pleasure of meeting this beautiful soul back in May as I was on of her direct reports. Day one she made me feel like a friend, She was so interested in me as person and my career. We hit off immediately, maybe because Alisa signed my first letter of offer in 2004 when I first got hired with the govnernment or because our childhood years and stories of growing up in the 90s were the best conversations we had. Her passion and dedication to the work we do in Public Health didnt go unnoticed. Every week she gave me her undivided attention to talk about my program and how she can help us progress. I will forever admire her drive and passion. A young soul gone too soon. Christine, my heart aches for you and your family. Keep smiling at the memories you made togeather, like your last Trip to Mexico which was one of the first things I heard when Alisa arrived at Health.

Alisa was a passionate public servant. I remember the day I met her, I think it was a new professionals event and the Civil Service Commissioner Deborah Woodgate introduced me to Alisa, and let me know that she is a superstar, one to watch. I also remember the day that I sat with Alisa in her role as my department's Civil Service Commission representative at the time, to discuss what to do after two unsuccessful attempts to recruit an Executive Director of Apprenticeship. I feel like it came to us both at the same time that Alisa herself was a great fit! It was clear that she had the right competencies for the role, she was sharp and enthusiastic and so we made a plan for her to give it a try. She was excellent - tackling this complex program area with positivity and seeing innovation and opportunity throughout. Like Cordella, I recall the day that she had lunch with Christine, who was reprenting Red River, to discuss apprenticeship. She came back from that meeting clearly smitten! Since that time I have enjoyed connecting with Alisa on a number of common files, and she was always positive, passionate and seeking innovative ways help Manitobans and the province as a whole. She exemplified public sector values. I can still hear her voice and her laugh, and know that she inspired so many people in her many roles across the provincial government. She will be remembered. Sending love and hugs to you Christine.

I met Alisa a few summers ago and was immediately taken with her enthusiastic and friendly manner. She was kind to everyone she met, and in such a genuine way. I'm so sorry she passed away so young. My heart goes out to her remaining family, especially the love of her life, Christine. They were an amazing, loving couple.

I had the recent pleasure of meeting Alisa when she became the Assistance Deputy Minister of Public Health. She was very personable and eager to learn all about us (staff). She always took the time to talk and listen - she always gave you (me) her undivided attention. Alisa and I had very personal conversations which allowed me to get to know her very quickly, she was an open book. We talked about everything, life in general, health, happiness, art, baseball, doggie dates, dance, family and food. Everything was important and had a purpose and a reason. She was very support of work life balance, family and health. We both have health issues and I felt she really understood when I need to vent or talk. It was very evident of her love for Christine and the boys as she always talked about them. Quickly, I realized Alisa had a love for food and she often ordered skip the dishes... sorry Christine one day she told me she didn't like the salad you made her as it was too healthy...I remember the first time she ordered skip to the office, her lunch never arrived. Although delivered (we weren't sure where), Alisa's response was "I hope they enjoyed what I picked" and we shared my lunch. One day Alisa and I were settling her into her new office (which was pretty bare), and while we were hanging her star blanket, which had to be in a spot where she could see it while working, she told me how much she loved art. I mentioned I had some paintings and pictures she might like. She asked me to bring them in as she would love to see them. I didn't know what kind of art she might like so I must have brought about 15 pieces, which included my "paint nite" class paintings (very amateur), animals paintings, scenic paintings and some aboriginal art. I assumed she would have picked 2 or 3 pieces, but she said she loved them all. Although she had favorites (dancing bird/dog), she told me she had a hard time picking just one as they all reminder her of something. I will miss our indepth conversations in the morning about everything and anything under the sun. There are no words to comfort or ease the pain but I hope with time, the family will heal and find comfort in their memories of Alisa. Take care of yourselves and each other.

My deepest condolences to Alisa's family and dear friends around her. As the former Minister of Labour and Immigration, I remember her always being well prepared to make my role as a minister easier keeping me well informed to keep the public well informe. She always had a smile on her face and I could tell she was very dedicated in her role as an Assistant Deputy Minister. Without a doubt she will be missed by many of her colleagues in the civil service. She was indeed a pleasure to work with. RIP Alisa.

I don't even know what to say, or how much to say, so I will say it all.. I am inspired by the words "Alisa was a light," because she truly was. Alisa and I met each other when we were 19 (me) and 20 (Alisa) as STEP students at Manitoba Conservation. Because she had started the summer before I had, she was my "boss.." She stuck me in the file room, where rumour was one thart of the girls back there had found a mouse, kept it for a pet, and released it months later when she realized the mouse was acutally a baby rat. The following summer after the "mousy" file room, Alisa decided that she trusted me enough that I could move to the front and work as a receptionist. On occation, when Brenda from Highways was away, Alisa would fill in at the desk beside me, also as a recptionist.. We immediately became friends. I figured out, from working the next desk over, that even though Alisa was very much an incredibly hard worker who wanted to impress our real bosses, Lorraine and Rosemary, she also had a silly side. One day, we had an eraser fight accorss the desks. Alisa won. Another day, Alisa disappeared for about an hour, and I thought she was working on some top secred Human Resources something-or-other. Instead, she came back and presented me with a sitcom pilot script she had been working on, and we spent the next hour rigourisly figuring out character arcs, and deciding which 70s-era comedian would play what part (sorry, Rosemary). About once a month or more, Alisa would drive me in her red Jeep to the old Toad in the Hole Pub, where we would have some wine and, if we were lucky, meet our boss Rosemary for a drink after work. Shortly after we met, Alisa took me to Ms. Purdy's for the first time (Ms. Purdy's was a lesbian bar), even though I was straight. After a time, I figured out I wasn't straight, and when I met Alisa at Ms. Purdy's and came out to her for the first time, she said: "Well, I'm not surprised. You talked about being straight way to much for a straight person."

. Over time, Alisa and I lost touch and I moved out of. the city. After I moved back, I experienced servere heartbreak. It was at that time that I reconnected with Alisa, and when we met again it was as if no time had passed. Alisa was kind, caring, and compassionate, and yet still provided me with much-needed laughs with her sharp sense of humour. She told me, then, about Christine, and how Christine had proposed to her in the library at the Legistlative Building - one of her favourite places in the world. I was so happy that my friend had found her soulmate, and Alisa would tell me, from then on, that I would find that, too. I didn't believe that I would, and told her perhaps that I didn't deserve it. But Alisa always could see the best in me, and I am so grateful that only months before she died I was was able to text her to let her know that she was right - that I had found someone who gave to me what Cristine gave to her - true love and acceptance.

Alisa was truly a light. I will never, ever, forget my friend. And I will never, ever stop missing her.

I met Alisa nearly 20 years ago when I moved to Winnipeg from England. I had been looking for a house share online and we had emailed back and forth a few times. I loved the emails and moved in as soon as I arrived in Canada, neither of us having met each other before. That time was so much fun, drinks on the back deck, kitchen dance parties, spontaneous fun of any kind. This is such sad news and while I haven't seen her for many years, I feel her loss, and my heart goes out to her family and friends.

Christine, I remember so clearly the love you both shared on your wedding day as you promised to walk through life together. Though Alisa’s time with you was far too short, it’s clear that the love you shared remains — a bond that cannot be broken, even by loss. I hope you find comfort in the memories of your life together, in the support of those who love you and in the knowledge that she will always be a part of you.

To Michael and Matthew, mom Dianne, Ric and Sue, may you find strength in each other and in the memories of Alisa, whose life was marked by love, laughter and joy.

Colleen Olafson, marriage commissioner

I first met Alisa when she walked through the door of Natural Resources/Conservation HR Services as a student who quickly realized that she had somehow landed on a career. Very early Alisa demonstrated respect and honour for public service and the realization that she could be part of a team that, like her, valued principles and ethics. The environment was also one that often challenged the status quo with new ideas. Alisa excelled. She was bold but practical, methodical but never boring, brilliant without being arrogant and best of all silly, irreverent and fun , oh so fun. All of this by any measure made her a great leader. I was honoured to call her friend and an inspiring colleague at Manitoba Conservation and the Civil Service Commission She will be missed.

I met Alisa when she was a 19 year old summer student and had begun working with the Human Resources Branch of Natural Resources. She was a hidden gem, interested in everything and willing to do anything. At the end of the first season, she asked me if I would like to go for a beer with her. So began a friendship that lasted nearly 30 years. Alisa worked with the department each summer, after which she was appointed as a Human Resource Consultant. This was the start of a long, fulfilling and productive career with the Province of Manitoba. Given her intelligence, dedication and fascination, there was so much more she would have contributed and achieved. Over these many years, Alisa continued to interest me, amuse me, intrigue me and always impressed me. I loved her and will miss her dearly.

This is very sad news to hear. It was a pleasure to welcome Alisa into the Dept of Agriculture and Resource Development; giving many of us in Ag a chance to get to know her better and benefit from her diverse experiences and life learned wisdom. She had some difficult files to manage and was relentless in her efforts for postive solutions that would result in economic opportunities for Manitoba. My most sincere condolences to her family and many friends that will miss her terribly.

I first met Alisa at the CSC (now PSC)- she was friendly, smart, kind and loved to laugh during our coined "lunch-and-learn" lunches where we would discuss all kinds of topics! She was a bright light and loved life so much!

The last time I saw Alisa was about 1 year ago at a team building day - we picked up where we left off! She told me about her family and how excited she was for their first trip to Mexico in the winter! She was glowing!

My thoughts are with Alisa's family!

Alisa was a favourite person. We worked together on the Renewal Strategy back in 2005 along with Matt. Alisa and Matt were so much fun to work with and together we got a lot done. To this day, those couple of years were my favourite work experience ever. Alisa was a bright light. So positive, fun and intelligent and she will be so, so missed.

My sincere condolences to family and friends of Alisa. I got to know her when in Gov't in Growth Enterprise and Trade continuing in Ag & Resource Dev't. She always had a positive attitude and smile to go with it. We shared stories about small town MB and her love of all things about trains. Alisa and Christine did stop by our home once when they were doing a road trip thru southern MB and as we did the garden tour we compared notes on various plants. Such a loss but honoured to have known her.

My favourite story - the day Alisa met Christine. Alisa told me she had a noon time work lunch with the new Acting VP of Academic at RRC. She came back hours later and said to me that she was in love and likely needed to leave Apprenticeship Manitoba as it is likely a conflict of interest. A three hour lunch and her life was turned upside down in the best possible way. A true instant love story for the ages.

Alisa was a light for so many, A true collaborator and innovator. And a true friend.

u Worked with Alisa when she was in forestry and I was Indigenous relations at Conservation. we had such lively interesting talks and she was so positive and forward thinking, optimistic and full of ideas. She had a positive impact on everything she did and people she worked with.

I am saddened to hear this news. I worked with Alisa when she was assigned to work with the mining industry on the Minister's Liaison Committee on Mining and Exploration. She was great to work with and I always admired her tenacity and determination. She always had a way to work through a difficult situation and I wish more people had a positive demeanour like she did. Alisa will be missed and I appreciate her committment to the Manitoba government and her fellow Manitobans.

There is no other person in the world I would have wanted as a mom to my Son's. The world is a bit diminished today.

Condolences to the family, We lost our daughter Jocelyn to brain cancer and miss her very much.even with the passing of time

Sending healing hugs to all ❤❤❤

Alisa was my first gay friend in government. We met 10 years ago when I was in transportation and she was in forestry. We were directed to work together to plant trees along CentrePort Canada Way. Since then we have we had worked on numerous projects together, including designing the new dept of Agriculture and Resource Development. It was at Alisa's urging that I took my current job at TBS - she knew I would love working with Matt. Alisa and I always bonded over our love of dogs, public service and ideas. I'm heartbroken that we didn't follow through on our plans to take our new puppies to the dog park together. Alisa you will be missed. So much 💔

What a loss. I got to know Alisa professionally in 2018, admired her skills and approach to her work as well as her warmth and humour. My sincere condolences to her family and friends.

So sorry to learn of Alisa's passing. Fran and I are keeping you Christine and all your family in our thoughts and prayers. So glad we saw you both at the boys' wedding at the end of August and watched your remarkable record of that event. Peace and love always.