Lisa M. (Garrity) Rodden, 60, a longtime resident of Sandy Hook, died peacefully October 24, at home. She was born July 17, 1958, and grew up in Dalton, Mass., or as she often referred to it, “God’s Country.”

She attended Salem State University in Massachusetts for two years and then transferred and graduated from Bryant University in Rhode Island in 1980, where she met the love of her life, Brian.

They married in 1982 and settled in Sandy Hook in 1983, where they raised three beautiful children. Her greatest joy in life was being a mom to Brian, Kelly, and Gregory, and then later to being “Meya” to her three grandchildren, Dan, Luke, and Kai.

Ever a go-getter, Mrs Rodden opened and operated her own business, Playtime, when her children were young. It offered fun and educational playtime for other children in the area. Later, as her children were becoming independent, Mrs Rodden went on to study school counseling and received her Master of Science in Counselor Education from Western Connecticut State University over a nine-year period. The Ridgefield school system was the place where Mrs Rodden got to share her enormous heart and talents, and she was loved by the children and faculty equally for 21 years.

She was always available to lend a helping hand or support anyone who was in need. Mrs Rodden’s love for life was always apparent in the many good times she shared with both family and friends, including family vacations to the Outer Banks, concerts and trips away with good friends, epic Halloween parties at the Rodden home, and the competitiveness she brought to every game — be it softball, Yahtzee, or Setback. Mrs Rodden was also known as an exceptional Spin class instructor — though she worked her students to tears, they loved her for it.

In addition to her husband, children, and grandchildren, her son-in-law, Blaise; daughter-in-law, Nicole; mother, Mary; stepfather, Connie; stepmother, Gert; and brother, Michael, survive her.

Her father, Bill, predeceased her.

The family is grateful for all of the love and support they have received during this journey. Her loved ones say “A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered.” A Memorial Service and reception will take place Saturday, November 3, from 8:45 am to noon, at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, Newtown, to celebrate Mrs Rodden’s life, cherish memories, and share stories.

In lieu of any gifts or flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to a scholarship fund that has been set up in Mrs Rodden’s name to honor her work as an extraordinary guidance counselor in Ridgefield. Checks should be made payable to “The Lisa M. Rodden Memorial Guidance Scholarship Fund” and mailed to care of the Ridgefield High School PTSA, 700 North Salem Road, Ridgefield CT 06877.