Maria Lisa Sison lived the kind of life that leaves echoes behind. She was a daughter, sister, mother, partner, cousin, auntie, tita, mentor, and friend… but more than anything, she was genuine light. The kind of light that made people feel warmer, safer, more alive simply by being close to her. Lisa’s accomplishments reflected both her intelligence and her vibrant spirit. A proud graduate of St. Francis Preparatory School, she built unforgettable memories that remained close to her heart. She later graduated from Binghamton University, where her charisma and joyful energy made her beloved by classmates and lifelong friends alike. As a proud member of Delta Sigma Pi, Lisa embodied the fraternity’s values of leadership, friendship, and service… qualities she continued to live out personally and professionally for the rest of her life.

Lisa was most proud to be the mother of Zachary Ryan Flynn. She loved Zachary with her whole heart. Every friend who knew Lisa knew how deeply she adored her son and how fiercely proud she was of the man he is becoming. Her love for him was unconditional, enduring, and eternal.

From the loving heart of her mother, Veronica Zapido Sison… Lisa loved her wholeheartedly too. No mother is ever prepared to say goodbye to her child, but Veronica carries immense pride knowing Lisa lived fully, loved endlessly, and left behind a legacy of compassion and joy.

To Sinjin Andrew Sison, who held a uniquely special place in Lisa’s heart. Together they shared unforgettable adventures snowboarding, attending a frat party long into the night, and bonding over horror movies that no one else was brave enough to watch with them. Their relationship was filled with mischief, laughter, inside jokes, and the kind of aunt-and-nephew friendship that felt more like lifelong partners in fun and adventure.

To her brothers, Michael and Andy, Lisa was not only a sister… She was both “the glue and the glitter”. Their favorite “middle sister”, their “judo champion” protector, their comedian, their loudest cheerleader. From childhood memories in Rosedale, Queens to many beach days, karaoke nights, family holidays, winter ski trips, and mid-day danceathons… friends often said the love Andy and Michael spoke about their sister was unmistakable… because Lisa was impossible not to love.

For the last ten years, Lisa also shared a beautiful partnership and companionship with Jon Witherell. Through love, friendship, adventure, and life’s changing seasons, Jon stood beside her with devotion and care. Their years together were filled with shared experiences, laughter, travel, support, and love that remained steady through difficult days and beautiful ones alike.

Lisa also shared a special lifelong bond with her beloved Ate Lalie and Vickey, who were like older sisters to her in every way that mattered. They lovingly helped keep her brothers in line when they would get mischievous… all while surrounding our family with warmth, laughter, and guidance. Their nurturing hearts helped care for Zachary and Sinjin through their younger years, creating cherished memories filled with love and the unwavering support that Lisa treasured deeply throughout her life.

Lisa adored her father, Jose Peping Sison, with the pure admiration only a daughter can have for her dad. Craving every moment of his attention even as a little girl, she learned how to play baseball just so she could spend more time beside him.. throwing, catching, and proudly trying to impress him any chance she could. Those moments with her father became some of the earliest expressions of the love, loyalty, and deep devotion to family.

From her beloved “Golden Girls” and lifelong friends from Binghamton University came stories of endless laughter, ridiculous shenanigans, dance floors, dorm rooms filled with laughter. Lisa “lit up every room she walked into.” They remembered her infectious smile, fearless embrace of fun, and ability to make everyone feel included and seen. Friends recalled karaoke nights, road trips, skiing adventures in Vail, Jackson Hole, Vermont, Whistler… volleyball games, coffee hikes, and countless moments where Lisa would transform ordinary experiences into lifelong memories.

Her friends from Vail remembered her adventurous spirit and warmth. Her “Maui ohana” spoke of a woman who embodied “aloha”... someone who mentored others, opened her heart freely, and found peace in the ocean and island life she loved so deeply. Regardless, wherever Lisa was, that’s the place to be…. you knew we were going to find something fun to do, and Lisa was going to be the leader and cheerleader to get us there:)

Friends and family from the Philippines remembered her sweetness, humor, and warm energy. From Queens to Long Beach, from coworkers across the many companies she worked with that became lifelong friendships built over decades, the message repeated itself over and over again: Lisa made life brighter. She carried herself with authenticity and joy that people never forgot.

Her former husband, James Flynn, shared words that captured what so many felt: that Lisa possessed a rare and pure soul, one that radiated love and changed the lives of those lucky enough to know her. Though life journeys evolve, their shared love created the greatest gift of all… their son Zachary.

To her cousins, she was the favorite cousin everyone wanted to be around… the one whose arrival instantly made gatherings louder, funnier, and more alive. Whether at family parties, beach trips, holidays, or late-night kitchen conversations, Lisa had a magical way of making every person feel special, included, and deeply loved.

To her nieces and nephews, she was “Tita Lisa”, “Auntie Maria”... the fun-loving, energetic, generous aunt whose hugs, laugh, and spirit made every gathering better. She made people feel special. She remembered little things. She celebrated others effortlessly. 

Even during her courageous battle with cancer, Lisa continued to think first about others… comforting friends, sharing laughter, encouraging people around her, and somehow still shining brightly through unimaginable hardship.

Maria Lisa Sison will forever be remembered for her radiant smile, contagious laugh, adventurous spirit, generosity, and boundless love for family and friends. Though her earthly journey ended far too soon, her spirit remains alive in the hearts of all who knew her… in every beach sunset, every karaoke song, every burst of laughter among old friends, every ocean breeze in Maui, and every act of kindness shared in her memory.

She is survived by her loving mother Veronica and father Jose; her beloved son Zachary Ryan Flynn; her brothers Michael and Andy; her partner Jon Witherell; extended family across New York, Hawaii, and the Philippines; and countless friends who became family throughout her remarkable life.

To know Lisa was to know joy.
To love Lisa was effortless.
And to lose her leaves a space in this world that can never truly be filled.

May we honor Lisa by loving more deeply, laughing more freely, embracing adventure, and shining our own light brightly… just as she always did.

God bless,

The Sison Family

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