Lisa Kay (Harsanyi) Stephenson

In memory of Lisa Kay (Harsanyi) Stephenson, longtime Montrose resident, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend.

Lisa Kay (Harsanyi) Stephenson passed away at home in the company of loved ones on Wednesday July 2, 2025, after a brave journey with cancer. She was 58 years old.

Born on December 4, 1966, in Pueblo, CO, Lisa spent much of her early life on the front range in Loveland, CO and Denver, CO and went to school in Fort Collins, CO at Colorado State University. Lisa made her home in Montrose, CO where she lived and worked for over 20 years. She was known for her adventurous spirit, love for animals, and a heart, hands, and ears tuned to beauty.

Lisa loved her boys, her people, and a rose garden that framed her backyard. She was at ease in the work of care: gently tending to the people she loved the places she lived in, and the animals she cared for. Her warmth made family of strangers. Lisa was always up for a conversation and made space for every person to feel welcomed.

Lisa understood the practice of joy. She had a contagious smile and delighted in sharing the best parts of living: hiking, Nebraska football games, the way it feels to click in the final piece of a puzzle, Colorado Avalanche hockey, all forms of travel, theatre, dinners out, board games, crafting and getting lost in live music. She understood that together was the best way to be.

More than anything, Lisa loved being with her family.

She is survived by her husband, Ben Stephenson (Montrose, CO); her mother, Suann Hughes (Montrose, CO); her children, Jared McKinnon and Zachary McKinnon (Montrose, CO); Kaitlyn Evanko-Douglas (Las Vegas, NV) and Kayla Malone Stephenson (Denver, CO); her grandson, Kevin McKinnon (Montrose, CO); her sister, Angela Harsanyi; her brother, John Harsanyi; and her brother John Hughes.

She was preceded in death by her father, John Hughes, and her sister, Barbara Hughes.

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 26, 2025 from 11:00am – 2:00pm at Remington’s at the Bridges in Montrose, CO. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to https://gofund.me/f5f40123