03/04/2026
In Loving Memory of Lisa Omand (née Knight)
It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Lisa Omand (née Knight), who peacefully passed away on February 21, 2026 at the age of 50, surrounded by her loving family at Grace Hospital.
She was predeceased by her parents, Anna and William James (Jim) Knight, and is lovingly remembered by her husband of 23 years, Bart; their children, Katherine Anna, Alex James, and Ash Edmund; her cousins, Trevor and Brian Calley; and cherished fur companions Ollie and Caiomhe.
Raised in Westwood, Lisa attended Allard, Sansome, and Westwood Collegiate. She earned her Bachelor of Education from University of Winnipeg and recently returned to pursue her Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Education.
A dedicated and passionate educator, Lisa’s commitment to her students was unwavering. She consistently invested time and energy to support their growth and success. Her devotion to teaching was evident in her work at École Robert Browning School, where she also served in leadership roles, including as a board member and treasurer of the St. James-Assiniboia Teachers’ Association (STJATA). Committed to lifelong learning, she pursued studies in Métis education and learning disabilities, thoughtfully integrated indigenous perspective and mental health initiatives into her classroom. She also led the school’s Indigenous program, Lisa championed inclusion, understanding, and meaningful learning for all. Her steadfast dedication to her school community will be deeply missed.
Lisa made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of Scottish heritage through her active involvement with Folklorama, Ena Sutton Highland Dance, Scottish Association and the Manitoba Highland Dancers’ Association. She held multiple leadership roles, including Kitchen and Program Coordinator, Co-Pavilion Coordinator, and Board Member for the Scottish Pavilion at Folklorama, as well as Tartan Tea Coordinator, Fundraising Director, and President of the Manitoba Highland Dancers’ Association. Through countless volunteer hours, Lisa strengthened organizational programs and achieved remarkable fundraising success. Above all, she cherished supporting Katie and her adopted dance girls, finding immeasurable joy in their smiles. They recently shared, “She was the number one dance mum to all of us.” Lisa’s lifelong dream was to establish a Scottish Cultural Centre in Winnipeg.
Lisa loved to travel, creating lasting family memories in destinations including Barbados, Vancouver, Cancun, Holguín, Puerto Vallarta, Disneyland, and Disney World. She also traveled extensively for ScotDance Championship Series (SDCCS) and Highland Dance competitions across Canada, including Calgary, Regina, Halifax, and Ontario.
She enjoyed attending concerts with family, with highlights including Metallica, Green Day, KISS, and Garth Brooks, as well as Alex’s School of Rock performances, which brought her immense pride. Music remained a lifelong passion, with Bon Jovi, KISS, and Nickelback among her favorites. Lisa was also an avid sports fan, passionately supporting the Winnipeg Jets and Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and found joy and camaraderie on the golf course with friends. At home, she enjoyed listening to audiobooks and curating her extensive playlists.
Lisa was known for her boundless generosity and selflessness; she would never hesitate to set aside her own needs to help someone in need. Her compassionate heart and wonderful sense of humor touched the lives of many, and she will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to the staff of the Emergency and Intensive Care Units at Grace Hospital for the compassionate care provided to Lisa, and to Jenny Salie of Chapel Lawn and Amber Bluhm of Desjardins for their patience and guidance. We are deeply appreciative to Kim and Jerry Burfoot of Chestermere, AB; Colin and Sue Salie of Winnipeg; Shauna Kapusta of Winnipeg; Dan Barry of Winnipeg, and all the friends and loved ones whose kindness, support, generosity, and homemade daily meals brought comfort during this difficult time. Words cannot fully express our gratitude.
A Celebration of Life in honor of Lisa will be held with family and friends in August 2026, with additional details to follow. In her memory, a scholarship has been established to support an individual pursuing their passion for Highland dancing. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lisa Omand Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of the Manitoba Highland Dancers' Association via E-Transfer to: [email protected]; or at any Manitoba Assiniboine Credit Union location. A tax receipt will be issued.
Love You forever babe! Love Bart!
