The Queen of Hearts

Lisa Lee Muehle, born May 14, 1957 in Los Angeles, California, passed peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of August 15, 2017. It was an unexpected passing as she had made two appointments for the next day, just seen Lauren her spouse in late afternoon, and was conversing with her mother Adrienne that same evening. Lisa had, however, struggled valiantly for years with a variety of medical conditions, the most recent being several month-long series of immune-related hospitalizations. Still, true to her generous spirit, she was using her remaining life force to help and love others.

Lisa was the first-born child of Maurice Lee Muehle, Esq., and Adrienne Ruth Brown. A bright and delightful child, she basically taught herself how to make stars by degree measure. At seven, already doing Geometry. This foretold her high school graduation where she gathered an armload of trophies and awards for math and science prizes. Always an individualist, she went up to the stage repeatedly, wearing cut-off jeans and hiking boots, while all the other attendee hopefuls were formally dressed.

Accepted at Stanford, she elected to attend Brigham Young University on a prestigious 4-year Spencer W. Kimball Academic & Leadership Scholarship. A patriot throughout her life, Lisa also had the annual habit of driving 4th of July cupcakes to various locale, bringing her at that time baby brother Shane in tow.

In her early 20's Lisa was to acquire a medical condition that marked her soul and her life. She successfully fought her way into remission from Crohn's disese after two significant abdominal surgeries. Despite her own medical concerns, Lisa was a force of nature with an indomitable spirit and will. She had strength of body and of character, but most of all she showed devotion and love. After graduation, she worked for a time selling penny stocks with her mother, a brokerage savant, in Salt Lake City.

In 1989, Lisa made a plane trip to California that would change her life. Lisa met Lauren, her spouse of 28 years, in 1989 at Daddy's in Palm Springs, California. The couple enjoyed a whirlwind romance, marrying one month later in a private ceremony in Montecito, California.

Together, they founded Cambridge Tutoring & Test Prep at their kitchen table with $200. Lisa, always an innovator, began training 7th grade students for the SAT, a concept unheard of at the time. Lisa also authored 2 award-winning SAT Math and Verbal textbooks, and made appearances on both local and national television. Lisa also ordered license plates for her little truck that said "SAT Queen" The company grew and soon they outgrew their Laguna Beach apartment and bought their first home in Monarch Beach.

Soon, they were "Aunties" and had the joy and privilege of being a part of the lives of their 15 collective nieces and nephews. At one point, Lisa envisioned the "The Great Graduation Tour" which consisted of the couple flying to various states to be a part of each niece and nephew's high school graduation. Next came the marriages. Then the babies. To which Lisa told each prospective parent that when she had grand nieces and nephews she wanted to be called, "The Great Aunt Lisa," a title she truly deserved.

Lisa championed all her nieces and nephews, assisting them in getting into colleges, law school, and other programs that they valued. She was devoted in supporting the nephews on their LDS Missions and always had a text, a gift, a call, or a kind word of encouragement for one and all.

Having successfully fought her way into remission from her early 20's, in recent years, Lisa's health became challenging. Still, she always brought love, and practical support to all whose lives she touched. Blessed with beauty, intelligence, a free spirit and a loving heart…she shared what she had quickly, freely, and always in excess. In plain view and behind the scenes, her generosity was legendary.

Humbly, quietly, and consistently, she was the one who always saw a need and filled it. Vulnerable and sensitive herself, her focus was always on strengthening and supporting others. She was a study in contradictions, both fragile and fearless. And always…she was hilarious. Her quick wit and offbeat sense of humor showed her great Love of Life. After Lauren's observation when they first met, she was quick to call herself "The Original Malibu Party Child."

Devoted to her mother and her family, she was also the "poster child" for a loving wife. So much so, that she once received an Oscar statue that said, "Best Wife." You could say she was the best of everything…beauty, humor, generosity and love. She loved fully, consistently, tirelessly, and devotedly. We were graced by her presence, and uplifted by her great Love of Fun and Life.

At a collegiate tea, she was once asked an interview question about who should be freed first if several people were trapped. Many candidates said, "I should go first because I'm fast, smart, loving, etc." To the interviewer's surprise, it was Lisa who said, "I think I should go last.""Why?" they asked. To which she quickly replied, "It think I should go last, because I'm the only one who can get out on a 2% chance." In the early morning hours of August 15th, she saw an opening, and she took it. She always was the girl who could get out on a 2% chance.

Gifted in a thousand ways, Lisa, by her own choice, always put others first. Last in our lives for her entire life, she now reigns First in our Hearts.