May 14, 1961 — Nov. 9, 2022
On November 9, 2022, we lost our oh-so-loved mother, yia- yia, sister and beloved wife Lisa Given Ames. Lisa passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loving family after an 18-year battle with eight different cancers.
Lisa was the second of four children born to Bill and Mona Given in Lynwood, Calif., May 14, 1961. Following a vacation to the St. George area in 1970, Bill and Mona moved to Veyo, Utah, to raise their family and enjoy the Southern Utah life in Zion. Lisa attended Dixie High School (class of ‘79) where she served on the executive and student council. Years later, the Given family moved to St. George, where Lisa attended Dixie State College.
Lisa was a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was an active member. Lisa is well-known for her singing talents and her lifelong hobby of riding and competing in reigning events on her prized quarter horses. She is a true grit cowgirl. Her horse career ranged from trail rides, competing in barrels, 25–100-mile endurance rides, and two consecutive year AQHA (Reining) World Championship Top-10 wins. As the saying goes: “Pretty in pink, but wicked in spurs”, and oh could she cook!
She married John M. Ames on May 28, 1988. During their marriage, career changes took them to Seattle; Washington, Sandy and Draper, Utah; the Bay Area of California, and finally, in 2002, to Lisa’s dream of moving back home near family to St. George. Her professional career as a SkyWest/Delta Airlines marketing representative was replaced by her favorite career choice as a full-time mother and homemaker, and she was the best!
Her only wish, as a radiation fallout victim, was to be given the chance to raise her children, see her children married,and to enjoy being a yia-yia (Greek heritage – grandma). The Lord lovingly and generously granted her wish.
Lisa is survived by husband, John McKenzie Ames; daughter, McKenzie Marie Ames Esplin (Jonny); son, William Chase Ames (Alejandra); son, John Brady Ames (Tatum); and grandsons: Graham Jonathan Esplin (4), John McCormik Ames (2), and Harvey Rhodes Esplin (1), with another grandbaby on the way to Brady and Tatum Ames.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at 10 a.m. in the Washington Fields Stake Center, 1295 South 3000 East, St. George, Utah. A visitation will be held Friday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Stake Center. Interment will be in the Veyo Cemetery, Veyo, Utah. For the funeral, in honor of our cowgirl, western attire is encouraged.
Services will be livestreamed. A link will be posted on www.metcalfmortuary.com at the bottom of Lisa’s obituary.
Arrangements are under the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. Visit the Metcalf Mortuary website for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.