Lisa Rene Barba Armato passed away surrounded by her son, family, and friends on November 5, 2023. The Rosary will be prayed at 3:30 p.m. followed by Visitation from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 13, at Passantino Bros. Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 14, at Holy Family Catholic Church [ LIVE STREAM ]. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers and plants, the family suggests donations to Passantino Bros. Funeral Home for her son's education.

Lisa was preceded in death by her best friend and son's father, Carl A. Armato; maternal grandparents Paul and Pearl Spinello; paternal grandmother Lupe Barba; aunts and uncle Vicki Barba, Terry Barba, Joe and Louise Barba; godfather Michael Batton; and her precious fur baby of 17 years, Daley.

She is survived by her beloved 11-year-old son, Anthony Carmine Armato; her parents Richard and Patricia (Spinello) Barba; sisters Paula Barba, Victoria Jutting (Dusty), and Angela Campbell (Richard); niece and nephew Analisa Lupercio (Michael) and Paul Anthony Barba (Samantha); great-nephews Michael and Owen Barba; godchild and niece Jessica Soliz; uncle Sal (Sue) Sanchez; and godmother Christine (Chee Chee) Batton.

Lisa will be terribly missed by her dear friends, whom she considered family, especially her sisters by heart Toni Mancuso, Tina DeMaddalena Giammalva, Jaime Dudley-Brown, Michelle Mancuso Passantino and Mary Hayward, and her precious fur baby who adored her, Sambuca Josephine aka 'Sammy Jo.' She will also be missed by many cousins, friends, and co-workers.

Lisa was born in Kansas City, Missouri on August 1, 1976, sharing a birthday with her oldest sister Paula. She attended Holy Cross Grade School, St. Pius X High School, and Missouri Western State University.

The baby of the family, she had her sisters wrapped around her finger from the moment she was born. The bond they shared was unshakeable – they will be her forever best friends. Her sisters never left her side – not for a moment. Lisa loved to spend time playing cards with her family, often times winning their weekly games of Liverpool. She could be found in the summertime with her best buddy, her Pop, at the lake fishing or running from one event to another with Anthony. She loved to call her Mom multiple times a day to talk about work, gossip, and plans for their next card game. Known as 'Bunny' to her nieces and nephews, she loved them as if they were her own. Her family meant the world to her.

She was an amazing cook, baker (Italian cookies were her specialty), a gifted writer, and avid reader of Stephen King novels. She often had family dinners and her home was always the epic center for her family and friends.

Lisa had an incredibly special bond with her two best friends and 'sisters,' Toni Mancuso and Jaime Dudley-Brown. They could carry on an entire conversation without even talking! A friendship that went back to 5th grade summer school, Toni and Lisa have been inseparable ever since. Jaime and Lisa have been friends and colleagues for over 20 years. She will be missed by her 'sisters by heart,' the ones she said that were always there whether they spoke daily or not: Toni, Tina, Jaime and Michelle.

She loved her job and worked hard for over 21 years for Pedcor Management – rising to the rank of vice-president of the company and often times traveling from state to state to lend a hand to her team or checking up on one of her new properties she referred to as her 'babies.' Lisa was held in the highest regard, not just for her role of Vice President, but truly helping people find a place to call home. She was a fair and empathetic leader and had a way of talking to people that helped smooth over any situation. This was truly her gift – she could help her family, friends or staff with any issue and was often the 'wise' one.

Her passion for travel was contagious and she was often the ringleader in planning and booking trips with her friends and family. She traveled the world and shared that passion with the love of her life, her son, Anthony Carmine. Anthony was and will always be Lisa's greatest accomplishment. She often spoke that Anthony was her 'miracle baby' and she treasured every second she shared with him. You could find her at practice, every game, motivating and cheering him on. She considered herself his biggest fan – often running up and down the sidelines cheering Anthony on and shouting to the referees.

Despite long workdays, she would hop off of a plane, make his favorite meals, race to practice, school parties and more. She didn't want to miss one single moment with him. She could be found shooting hoops in the driveway with him, playing catch, singing karaoke, or running around town with him – every day was an adventure. She shared her love of music with him whether it be country, Whitney Houston, or her favorites Boyz II Men – Lisa and Anthony loved their dances in the kitchen.

Lisa loved Halloween and she and Anthony would plan their decorations and costumes months before. They could often be found watching scary movies with blankets pulled up to their noses. Lisa loved to scare Anthony during those moments and they would laugh and laugh! Lisa and Anthony shared a very special bond – she raised him strong and wise – just like her. Anthony has often referred to them as 'spaghetti' because they were always stuck together. We know she is his guardian angel now.

Lisa had a way about her that made 'everything ok.' She was often the brave one – trying new things, going to new places and learning as much as she could.

Sissy, we will miss your ornery ways, your advice, your goofiness, quick retorts, great stories, shopping days, family dinners and so much more. We do not know how we will navigate life without you; but we will carry on for you and Anthony. We will ensure he is loved and raised just the way you would want.

As you liked to say, "Goonies never say die...," so go now Little Sis, if you must, we will see you again one day. Have the cards shuffled and dealt, we'll be ready to play. You and Carl try to stay out of trouble up there, okay?

Special thanks to Dr. Marci Allen, Dr. Harry Yoon, Dr. Christopher Sirridge and all of the doctors and nurses at KU Medical Center and Mayo Clinic for their special care, especially the nurses in the infusion center.

Pall Bearers: Darren Stevenson, Carl V. Glorioso, Frank J. Pisciotta, John M. Pisciotta, Nick J. Fazzino, and Vincent Cangelosi.

Honorary Pall Bearers: Toni Mancuso, Michelle Mancuso Passantino, Jaime Dudley-Brown, and Tina DeMaddalena Giammalva.

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com