Llisa Maria Partaker

A gentle, loving soul was taken from us far too soon. Llisa Maria Partaker of Missoula passed away on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013 at Community Medical Center. She was 50 years old.

Llisa was born on Sept. 20, 1962, in Huntington Park, Calif., to Michael Fillpot and Karin Partaker. Llisa grew up in Maywood, Calif., moving to Upland, Calif., in her teenage years. She graduated from Upland High School and attended California State University, San Bernardino following high school. She graduated from CSUSB in 1984, receiving her bachelor's degree in liberal arts. The following year she received her teaching credential from CSUSB.

Llisa began her teaching career at Los Amigos Elementary School in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., teaching second through sixth grades. After six years at Los Amigos, Llisa moved to Missoula and worked as a paraeducator at Hawthorne Elementary School in Missoula for eight years. While at Hawthorne, Llisa received her Endorsement to Teach Special Needs Children from the University of Montana. Llisa moved from Hawthorne and began working at Meadow Hill Middle School in Missoula as a special education teacher, where she was employed for the past eight years.

Llisa's interests and hobbies included caring for her many diverse pets, needlepoint and cross-stitching. Llisa loved traveling and vacationing with her family. Llisa was planning to travel to England, Ireland, Scotland and France next summer. Llisa gave liberally of her time and energy and was a passionate advocate for the special needs children she so dearly loved.

Llisa is survived by her mother and best friend, Karin Partaker of Missoula; her father Michael and stepmother MaryJane of Chino, Calif.; her brother Jim and sister-in-law Cindy of Chino Hills, Calif.; her niece Kasey and nephew Nicholas, also from Chino Hills; and her beloved black labrador, Lily.

A funeral Mass will be held for Llisa at St. Francis Catholic Church in Missoula on Thursday, Sept. 12 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Llisa's name to AniMeals (www.animeals.com) or an animal shelter of your choice.

Read Llisa Partaker's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.