ONEONTA - Lisa Marie Lamb Vance, 42, of Oneonta, joined her Heavenly family on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, surrounded by her earthly family.

Lisa was born on April 30, 1981, in Oneonta, the youngest daughter of Mark A. Lamb and Deborah M. (Kane) Lamb.

She graduated with the Oneonta High School Class of 1999.

She recently began taking online courses through Herkimer County Community College.

She married Robert Vance on March 24, 2012.

Lisa was the epitome of a hometown girl. She loved her school and was voted most school spirit by anyone who knew her. She stayed local after graduation. She loved children and her church and was a Sunday school teacher for many years.

Many will remember her from her many years in retail at either JCPenney or Kay Jewelers. She loved helping people and continued to do so at Community Bank after her time in retail.

She was an avid sports fan. You could always hold a conversation on most sports topics with her, but especially topics that involved the Dallas Cowboys, NY Yankees, or Michigan basketball. One of her favorite travel times was going to catch a Yankees game at the stadium. She had an uncanny love for professional wrestling and had the opportunity to travel to many locations for meets and greets with many stars, current and past.

She was always the person at any given event with the camera in her hand. This led her to operate her own photography business for a bit up until her diagnosis.

On Aug. 28, 2019, Lisa was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer. The words "you have cancer" are not the words anyone wants to hear. Lisa is quoted as telling family and the doctors, "God and I have got this!" And for four long years she fought the most courageous battle she would ever face with dignity as the most fierce warrior going to battle. Cancer did not stop her! In fact, she was inspired. During her treatment, she noticed other patients had a much greater need for basic items and this encouraged her to make them "goody bags." She created those with the help of many friends and family. It was that gesture that snowballed with her into creating a foundation to raise awareness of cancer in all forms. Her foundation is Lambchopstrong. She coordinated and successfully held several fundraising events that enabled many patients to receive treatments both near and far. She was selflessly putting others first always! Lisa and her husband had the pleasure of aiding with transport for several other cancer patients. This is what brought her joy and peace and allowed her to continue serving others even when she herself was battling.

Lisa is survived by her husband, Robert (Oneonta); parents, Mark A. and Deborah Lamb (Oneonta); mother-in-law, Deborah Vance (Sidney); sister, Jessica (Charles) Halstead (Oneonta); sisters-in-law, Stephanie Rutenber (Sidney) and Tabitha Vance (Florida); and nieces, Claudia Halstead (Oneonta), Marley Rutenber (Sidney), Taylor Price (Oneida) and Lylah Vance (Virginia). She is also survived by several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Lisa was predeceased by her maternal grandmother Claudine Speh; paternal grandparents, John E. and Frances Griffiths, Bruce R. Lamb; father-in-law, Stephen Vance; maternal grandparents-in-law, Raymond and Elizabeth Marshman; brother-in-law, Todd Vance; and an aunt, Rebecca Fein.

Calling hours will be in the atrium a Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12. A memorial service will be in the theater at Foothills at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 13. Pastor Joel Shue will officiate.

Burial will take place at the convenience of the family in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bassett Cancer Institute at FoxCare, 1 FoxCare Drive, Suite 310, Oneonta, NY 13820 or New Life Oneonta, c/o Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market St.t, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta.

Share condolences with the family online at www.bookhoutfuneralhome.com.