Obituary of Alisa Baird Vail

Alisa Baird Rasmussen Vail There are rare and special individuals in this world who transcend the roles they live – mother, wife, daughter, grand-daughter, niece, cousin, teacher, friend. One of those was Alisa Baird Rasmussen Vail, who passed away on Thursday, June 23, 2016. At age 41, cancer stole her from us far too soon, but her vibrant personality, abundant generosity, infectious laughter and boundless depths of love have left an indelible legacy. Alisa was born in Vancouver, WA on September 1, 1974, the second daughter of Laurie Lightheart and Victor Rasmussen. She spent her early years in her family's house on Prune Hill; the family moved in 1980 to Livingston Mountain, where Alisa developed her love of ATVs, paving trails with sister Amée among the vast forest of the property. After graduating from Camas High School in 1992, she received a degree in human development and elementary education from Warner Pacific College and master's in education from Washington State University Vancouver. After being friends for many years, Alisa began dating the love of her life, Andy, in the summer of 2004. With Alisa resplendent in her mother's wedding dress, the couple wed the following year. Alisa and Andy took the utmost pride in raising their two daughters, Annabelle 17 and Abrielle Abbie, 8. From flute lessons and band concerts to soccer games and dance recitals to youth group at Zion Lutheran, they infused compassion, integrity and love of family in every step of their lives. Alisa had spent the past 17 years employed by the Washougal School District. She started her love of teaching at Hathaway Elementary and then moving to Gause Elementary. Humorous and outgoing, she made school fun and instilled a passion for learning in the hundreds of children who spent time in her classroom. She was recently inspired to continue her own education, enrolling at Western Governor's University for her principal certificate. Alisa loved riding her quad in the sand dunes during annual family trips to Coos Bay, joining Andy in his 1962 Chevrolet Impala to cruise-ins with the Slo Poks Car Club, barbecues and happy hours spent with friends and embracing family traditions with her extended family. Alisa is survived by husband Andy, daughters Annabelle and Abrielle, parents Laurie and Victor Rasmussen, sister Amée Rasmussen, grandfather Paul Dailey, in-laws Karen and Gary Vail, niece Hailey Vail and numerous great-aunts, great-uncles, aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grand-parents Shirley Lightheart Dailey, Allen Lightheart, Anna Rasmussen and Harry Rasmussen. A celebration of life open-house service will be held on Saturday, July 9, 4 to 8 p.m., at Pearson Air Museum.