Obituary of Lisa Marie Gauches

Lisa Marie Gauches, 40, of Brooklyn, New York passed away on February 15, 2023 unexpectedly after a brief illness. She is predeceased by her dearly beloved brother Jeffrey Gauches and her father Joseph Gauches. She is survived by her cherished mother Kathleen Mary Gauches, brother Brent Budrow Gauches, sister Heather Jo Rancourt, brother-in-law, Sean Rancourt, sister-in-law Sandra Siso Gauches, much loved nephews Chase and Camden Rancourt, Jack Gauches and a niece, Mila Sophia Gauches as well as a vast and varied group of lifelong friends.

Lisa was born on April 10, 1982 in Hartford, Connecticut and grew up in South Glastonbury. She attended high school at Mercy, where she swam competitively and went on to attend Wagner College in Staten Island, majoring in Musical Theater. She was deeply passionate about musicals, with an aesthetic that ranged from Disney to Sondheim. She served as assistant and muse to many musical theater creators, artists, and musicians over the course of her life. A talented writer, director, and musician in her own right (including stints playing piano for several Broadway productions). Lisa did not seek personal accolades, but worked tirelessly as a connector and champion of artists in whom she saw potential. She was a selfless networker on behalf of those she believed in and spent countless hours as a creative sounding board, editor, and advisor. She also made it a personal mission to fill in artists' educational gaps where she thought important. A true believer that artists must support each other, she made sure that her wide network attended each others’ events and shared each others’ work within their respective industries, fostering a multitude of opportunities, collaborations, and friendships—all without any personal benefit beyond the satisfaction of seeing those she cared about succeed. Lisa always cared deeply about children and, post-pandemic, taught at the Tiny Scientist Day School in Brooklyn. She developed cherished relationships with her young students, absorbing their energy and enthusiasm herself and awakening in them fascination and love for science. A magnet to children and animals alike, Lisa worked part time for a pet sitting organization, where she specifically requested Pit Bulls. She developed a love for the breed through watching her brother Jeffrey train his pit, Mira. Believing that Pit Bulls are misunderstood, she sought to fill in part of the care gap herself. Lisa championed the under-served, saw dignity in all people, and committed herself to putting her philosophies into action through volunteer work and scores of daily devotions. Lisa’s family and friends will remember her as brilliant, innately kind and compassionate, fiercely loyal to family and friends, and a truly unique spirit who lit up a room with her smile. She will be dearly missed by all the lives she has touched, and especially by her mother.

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 24 at 10 am in Ss Isidore Maria Parish at St. Paul Church, 2577 Main Street, Glastonbury. Online streaming will be available at  https://youtube.com/live/Zq6RoBVHqAY. Burial will follow at St. Augustine Cemetery, 136 Hopewell Road, Glastonbury. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Broadway Care/Equity Fights Aids, 165 W. 46^th Street, Unit 1300, New York, New York, 10036, PanCAN Purple Stride. Donate by phone 877-272-6226 or access pancan.org and download, complete and mail form to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, or New York Bully Crew at nybullycrew.org. For online condolences please visit wwwmulryanfh.com.