This morning, Springfield lost one of it’s earlier pioneers. Lisa Neary passed away in the early morning hours after a hard fought three year battle. Lisa and her husband Phil first moved to Springfield in 1986 from San Marco. Through the years, they both worked tirelessly to save many houses and help bring order to what some considered the wild west. Lisa had been president of the Woman’s Club and oversaw many projects and fund raising promotions. She was involved in the earliest home tours when the tour takers were transported around in personal station wagons as well as working with the city securing funds for the park system, some of which were just used recently. Lisa also owned several businesses through the years from antique stores on Main Street to more recently, the Epicurean.
The first time I met Lisa was during a Sunday brunch at the Park View Café (now Hola) in 1998. She was dressed to the nines with a big hat and large sunglasses and almost seemed to be a gentile southern lady holding court. Later I found her to be a very loving friend full of passion and life. I will miss her.
I think it would be fine to share stories here if you wish. You may also PM me and I will keep you informed of the arrangements once they are made.
I remember walking with Lisa down East 7th Street at 1:00 in the morning after a night at Boomtown. (Ah...Lisa...do we really want to do this?)
The woman was a fighter and wasn't easily intimidated.
Goodbye dear Lisa. We'll miss you.
Joe, Gloria. Please tell Phil I am sorry for his loss.
I remember first meeting Lisa, when I stopped by Epicurean to let her know that I was intending to purchase a property next door for a live/work project and to get her feedback on it. It was the tale end of Epicurean and it was sad to see it go but at the time she had dreams of renovating one of the now demolished historic homes off 7th & Main into a new Epicurean. I think she fell ill soon after that. RIP.
I spent many an hour in the Epicurean with Joe and Phil, and then later, Gloria going over the plans to any one of the several houses we tried to buy up until 2003 when we finally managed to land a contract on the one we live in now. She did a good job of running the little cafe. If I remember correctly, she one time explained that her illness had caused her to have to change her diet, which led to the cafe. I guess she figured since she was having to do all the work to get food to eat healthier, why not open the shop!
I was bummed when it closed down.
So, this is the person who was desperately trying to change Springfield's image; didn't know her, but had heard of someone who was spearheading a campaign of sorts to improve the image of Historic Springfield. My hats off to her and my deepest sympathy to her family...I know she will be missed.
I remember well when Springfield was the "wild wild west" of Jacksonville. I used to frequent the area and had friends who lived in Springfield back then...good times yes but more bad times than good. I am awestruck and proud of what Springfield has become and is even now continuing to evolve for the better.
Heights Unknown
Every time I went to Epicurean she was just great. Sad to hear of this.
I've known them for many years, and first met them at the womans club back in the late 90s. I'm sorry to hear of her passing, and my thoughts and prayers go out to Phil.
Lisa will be missed. I always enjoyed talking with her when I was running the Maxx.
This is a very sad day. Lisa was a stranger to no one and will be greatly missed. The first time I met her I felt like I had known her for years. We are thinking about you Phil.
I recall spirited discussions at Springfield Station over a few pints. Delicious meals at Epicurean. My condolences. A rare one indeed, now gone but not forgotten.
I'm so sad. The first folks I met back in 98, and great neighbors till they sold their house on 7th. Condolences to Phil, family & all of their friends.
Scott Davis
This is a sad, sad day. My deepest sympathies go out to Phil and the rest of the family.
Tommy
She had a long hard fight but every time I saw her she had a big smile and a hug for me. I think she may have actually invented the peace bubble. I'll bet her Jolly Green Giant is shedding a tear right now, as am I.
-Janet D.
I cannot believe it - I am devastated. Lisa saved the Woman's Club, the President there at that time had sold all of the old silver and had a contract on the building. Lisa got the Federation there and took over, restored and saved the building and the wonderful old association.
I still cannot believe it
She and Melissa Miller wrote the ISTEA grant requests that put close to $700,000 into Confederate Park, without them there would be no fence no trees, not dog park and no restored Woman of the South.
It would be wonderful to put a bench in Klutho alongside the one for Michael, I am going to try and organize it. The bench cost $1700 and the plaque $140. I have a wonderful photo of Lisa, Michael, Don and Jon taken the night the fountain was dedicated, but I do not know how to post.
I will I have to dig it out but I have others, I am feeling too sad right now. When she left the club to open Epicurean, and I went into the club, she told me she thought God had sent me. That was one of the nicest things anyone said to me
I moved to Springfield in June 08. Although I never had to chance to meet Lisa she sounds like a great person. Does Phil still live in Jacksonville? Would love to hear more stories about what they did in Springfield. How old was she? She doesn't look that old from the picture that Stephen posted.
Lisa showed no fear fighting drug dealers, she once had a molotov cocktails thrown through her hallway window by one she had removed from this area, maybe she was responsible for this peace bubble
Phil and Lisa's positive influence extended beyond the edges of Springfield. In the mid 90's when I was struggling to address neighborhood issues that HabiJax was encountering in Royal Terrace, Michael Bryant told me to talk with the Nearys, that they were doing great things in Springfield. I met with Phil in the Women's Club, and asked lots of questions. I also loined in on a couple of Springfield neighborhood walks. We applied the things we learned from the Nearys in Royal Terrace, the Eastside and other blighted areas.
Lisa's legacy lives on, and not only in Springfield.
Doug Vanderlaan
Phil and Lisa had to sell their wonderful house on 7th, but they just moved around the corner onto Liberty in a little bungalow. I spent time today with Phil and he is OK, but, as you would guess, very, very sad. We will attend to the arrangements tomorrow and I will let all know about them.
Strangely, the drug dealer that tried to burn down their house wasn't one that they had helped "moved on", he just thought they had. Such was their reputation at the time.
Some of the funds Lisa and Melissa got for the parks...the city somehow actually cut a check once and handed it over to Lisa at a ceromony. I believe they asked for it back as that was not how it was normally done. As you might guess Lisa kept it and it was in the safe keeping of the Womans Club for many years as some issue kept the work from being done.
The picture Stephen posted makes Lisa look heavier...I don't think she ever weighed more than 110 pounds in her life.....at least during the time I knew her.
Jimmy used to frighten many, but Lisa would walk right up to him and tell him what for and he would obey.
She is already very missed....
I know this is not a great pic, but, it is the best that I have. Lisa is in the center, with the red top. This was a great day.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/93sportie/dillonfoumtain009.jpg)
Terrie Fields handed over a check for $150,000 to Lisa when she and Melissa and a very small group of ardent ladies, including Eva and Sandra O"Quinn first re adopted the parks. They needed this money for matching funds on the then available ISTEA (Intermodal Surface Transport Efficiency Act) grants. Any grant proposal meant you had to come up with 25% matching funds. They are VERY involved grants and required much headwork and many trips to Tallahasee. I no longer have access to records, but the first grant request was in the area of $280,000 which was 210,000 from the ISTEA and $70,000 from the Fields check. That grant made Confederate Park what it is today. It had no fence, it was a swamp with much garbage (and shopping carts) in what had been the lake, and was a general mess. They fenced it, they planted all of the lovely trees around the perimeter, - (the land near the creek will not hold tree roots) they cleaned the lake and redid the fountain in the middle.. They put in lighting and an irrigation system, the plans laid out were very involved. They put the nesting island and either swam out or went in a dingy to do this task. The then director of the parks - his name began with B, he preceeded the last one, did not really like the Club and its women doing what they were doing, so Melissa used to say, be careful or I will put on my pantyhose and come down and talk to you. There used to be a huge sign on the Main Street side of the park, detailing the work done by the club, it was removed c 2002. In the early 90s they wrote a further grant for 400,000 requiring $320,000 from the ISTEA fund and taking the last 80,000 of the Fields money. This came through just about when Lisa left the Club to do the Epicurean. (My dates may be a little bit fuzzy). The park director did not let the club know that the money had come through, so it sat for several years until a new director "discovered" $400,000 just sitting - the interest at that time was high and the money earned much. What is amazing the $80,000 sat in the club's bank for about 10 or 12 years gaining interest. Lisa and Melissa could have bought Mercedes, but it was not touched. By the time the grant money was discovered, we could no longer do the things spelled out in the ISTEA request due to contamination, so we now have a wonderful dog park, there was a further 120,000 spent on palm trees and bushes. The ISTEA money may only be spent on a project on a Federal Highway, which is what Main Street is, hence Confederate got the money. Because the money sat in the city's bank for so long it really became part of general funds, but the 400,000 was achieved without using the 80,000 in the Club account, so with that the statue was restored, part of the rose arbor paid for and much renovation is being done on the club building. The interest also helped pay for the fountain. All thanks to Lisa and Melissa. I doubt we shall see their ilk again. All these grants writtern when things were not good in Springfield, all done in faith in the future of their beloved neighborhood..
Sorry if this is confusing, I write with much teary sadness.
I wrote previously of Lisa saving the club and its building, she also achieved a grant to restore the building but she and the ladies did so much of the work themselves. Lisa is an incredible part of the club's and Springfield's history, we have to put a bench in the park with her name on it.
I have many fond memories of Lisa. She is one of the people that made me love Springfield. I loved sitting in the Women's Club listening to the tales she told. I loved sitting on the front porch of the Epicurean and later listening to the amazing jazz musicians that played there. My early days in Springfield felt very much like Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and I feel very lucky to have experienced that. Lisa will be missed.
Chris, I think the idea of a bench is a great one. I actually wondered if anyone would suggest it.
I cant think of a more apropos tribute to her.
I called Debbie Thompson, since it probably should also come from the club. She is putting a proposal to the board, they will maybe have a fund raiser. If not I will do it. I am calling Craig Pedroni in the morning to see if the price is still the same, our Michael bench is a custom design, made from the same material as the base of the fountain.
Lisa was so excited when the history of the fountain was found. She had two desires - the fountain restoration and the cleaning of the Woman of the South. She had written a grant request in about 92 to do the statue, but it was turned down.
I've sent a proposal to the Board of the Springfield Woman's Club to be discussed at this Friday's board meeting. More info to come in the next couple of weeks. I think Chris' idea of a bench like the one the entire community did for Michael is perfect.
This is so sad, she was the first person my wife & I met in the neighborhood when we first moved into the neighborhood. We would on occasion visit Epicurean and have drinks, while chatting with Lisa and anyone else that was in the bar area while there. She was very friendly, honest & full of stories about the neighborhood. She showed us a lot of kindness and helped us feel welcome here. Our condolences go out to her husband and family. Springfield will miss her dearly.
Johnny & Roxanne
My heart has been ripped out... To know Lisa truly was to love her.. She was so unique, and so fun, I knew her for years and we spent many an evening discussing many many things. I will truly miss her.. Good bye my friend. She and I would hash things out sometimes to the point of frustration but we always got past our differences and played up on our similarities. I don't know what else to say, this is very difficult. I'm very very saddened.
Don I tried so hard to get to you. Sadly your numbers were in my private messages in the Spar Forum. They could not find your name in the directory and there were about 10 Jim Greens. I knew you would be terribly sad, I hope you both are well, miss you
Chris,
I'll send you an email with both of our numbers. Thank you and Huge hug...
Lisa Neary's memorial will be held From 3:00 to 5:00 this Sunday, the 22nd of Nevember at the Woman's Club. A few have already expressed their desire to speak and so we will be happy to open the floor up to anyone who wishes to share something about Lisa.
If you go to the fountain in Klutho park you will see a bench dedicated to Michael Bryant, it is made of the same material as the fountain base. We are planning to put one there for Lisa, If you wish to donate towards it you will make us very happy. the donations will pass Through SHEC - checks should be made payable to SHEC and may be dropped off at the Trautman house on 5th. There is a thread started for Lisa there and a lovely article about Lisa by Alicia Dorsie-Frank, we are asking people two things, donate to the bench and write a small piece regarding your memories of Lisa. You may send your memories to adam@trautmannandcompany.com - they have already made a generous donation to the cause.
Chris Farley
For Sunday...the memorial service...the address for the Springfield Woman's Club is 210 W. 7th Street, corner of 7th and Silver.
I pulled this from the SPAR Council website:
Please read the following excerpted tribute from Dave Cedel.
Almost two years ago, I got a call from a couple on E 7th in Springfield that was trying to sell their long-time home themselves. They had forgotten my name, my having left the neighborhood almost 15 years ago, and they associated me with my ex, Debbie, and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, NOT real estate. I did not tip anything off until we got together, and then it was very cool.
Debbie and Lisa had been cronies at the Woman's Club. Lisa recalled that Debbie was a great Club member and was in charge of keeping the Coke machine. When I met with Phil and Lisa almost two years ago on a listing appointment, we went through all the old stories and more. Mindy (my sis) actually showed up at the Open House.
Lisa's real gift has been as an organizer and grant writer. She wrote grants to help restore what was known as "Confederate Memorial Park" on the east side, get the statue/fountain done at the old ball yard on the west side of Main, plus many others. She was the glue that held the Woman's Club and the Home Tour together for nearly 20 years. She was exotic, intelligent, funny, and knowing. There was a kind of elegance and a kind of unique style that even Debbie liked. Lisa was totally dedicated to the progression of Springfield.
Like almost anyone who flies close to the sun, most of our wings are wax. Reggie Fountain at Prudential helped me get the short sale done on the sale of the house, and I mean that sincerely. What was really touching is that the buyers brought a precious orchid as a present for Lisa to the closing. The Nearys, basically losing their house and facing Lisa's demise, held hands under the table during the closing.
Lisa is no longer with us. I received a call from Phil today, and the memorial will be Sunday at 3 PM at the Woman's Club
I have been in touch with Pedroni's and they are looking for the mold used to cast the bench for Michael. I hope all will participate and donate through SHEC, Lisa deserves it. If enough money is collected we could also put a plaque in Confederate Park recognizing the tremendous contribution by Melissa and Lisa. Melissa is writing her memories for the SHEC web also.
I would imagine there will be an opportunity to donate at Lisa's gathering at the Women's Club tomorrow afternoon?
It will be informal, some cake, some cookies, some coffee, exchange of stories and words of comfort for Phil. A chance to remember Lisa, together.
The memorial was held this Sunday and many of you attended. Several people spoke and one even sang for her (Thank you, John). Thank you to Sheclown for the cakes, thank you to Pat and Alan for the use of the Woman's Club and the help you gave and Phil would like to extend his thanks to all who attended and who have posted here.
There is one last thing. Chris Farley is very graciously spending some of her time arranging for a bench to honor Lisa. Phil as well as the rest of us are very grateful for her efforts. Several have donated already and I hope more of you will. Here are a couple of posts Chris made elsewhere about the bench:
QuotePlease we have to honor Lisa, will you donate towards her bench which is to be custom poured by Pedroni, who probably cast the original balustrades.
We are about 2/3rds there, SACARC is giving $100, Strider and Sheclown gave very generously, others have also. We are probably looking at a $2000 bill, will you give and honor someone who gave so much.
...it will go with Michael Bryant's at the Dillon fountain at 3rd and Silver. Interest from the matching funds held in trust for many years by Lisa and the club helped pay for the fountain. If you go look at Michael's bench you will see it is almost a work of art.
If we should collect more money than required, we would like to put a plaque on the Dog park fence or somewhere there, she deserves it.
I believe you can PM Chris Farley and she will accept the donations or you can drop them off at Michael Trautmans. Checks can be made out to SHEC, which is handling the funds for this memorial.
Lisa will be missed, but always remembered.