Lisa Omand (née Knight)

Lisa Omand was a gifted educator, devoted wife and mother, tireless volunteer, and passionate champion of Scottish culture whose extraordinary generosity strengthened every community she served.

Raised in Winnipeg’s Westwood neighbourhood, Lisa attended École Robert Browning’s neighbouring community schools, including Allard, Sansome, and Westwood Collegiate. She later earned her Bachelor of Education from the University of Winnipeg and, true to her belief in lifelong learning, returned to pursue a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Education.

As a teacher at École Robert Browning School, Lisa was deeply committed to the success and well-being of her students. She continually expanded her knowledge through studies in Métis education and learning disabilities and thoughtfully incorporated Indigenous perspectives, inclusion, and mental-health initiatives into her classroom.

Lisa also led her school’s Indigenous program and served her fellow educators through the St. James-Assiniboia Teachers’ Association, including as a board member and treasurer. Her teaching was guided not only by knowledge, but by compassion, curiosity, and a firm belief that every student deserved to feel understood, supported, and capable of success.

Scottish culture was woven throughout Lisa’s life. She devoted countless hours to the Ena Sutton Highland Dancers, the Manitoba Highland Dancers’ Association, the Scottish Association of Winnipeg, Folklorama, and the Pavilion of Scotland.

At the Pavilion, Lisa served in numerous leadership roles, including Kitchen Coordinator, Program Coordinator, Co-Pavilion Coordinator, and Board Member. Whether planning menus, managing volunteers, coordinating performances, fundraising, or quietly solving the inevitable last-minute problem, Lisa approached every responsibility with determination and good humour.

Her leadership within the Manitoba Highland Dancers’ Association was equally significant. She served as Tartan Tea Coordinator, Fundraising Director, and President, helping strengthen programs, support dancers, and raise essential funds for the Highland dance community.

Lisa’s greatest joy within that community was supporting her daughter Katherine and the many dancers she lovingly claimed as her own. To them, she was far more than a volunteer or organizer—she was, in their words, “the number one dance mum to all of us.”

Lisa dreamed of one day establishing a permanent Scottish Cultural Centre in Winnipeg—a welcoming home where Scottish music, dance, history, language, and fellowship could be preserved and shared for generations.

Beyond her teaching and volunteer work, Lisa embraced life with enthusiasm. She loved travelling with her family, attending Highland dance competitions across Canada, cheering for the Winnipeg Jets and Blue Bombers, golfing with friends, listening to audiobooks, creating extensive playlists, and attending concerts ranging from Garth Brooks to Metallica, KISS, Green Day, Bon Jovi, and Nickelback.

Above all, Lisa treasured her family. She shared 23 years of marriage with her beloved husband, Bart, and was a devoted mother to Katherine Anna, Alex James, and Ash Edmund. She is also lovingly remembered by her cousins, Trevor and Brian Calley, and by her cherished fur companions, Ollie and Caiomhe. Lisa was predeceased by her parents, Anna and William James “Jim” Knight.

Lisa passed away peacefully at Grace Hospital on February 21, 2026, at the age of 50, surrounded by her loving family.