Lesa B. Morrison
December 8, 2016

MORRISON, LESA B. Age 53, passed away the first week of December in Nairobi, Kenya, where she had been doing research on the Luo people. She perished, it is believed, as the result of a spider bite. Dr. Morrison is survived by her mother, BeeJee Morrison (Mrs. Perry), and her sister, Abby Morrison, and beloved friends and relatives. She graduated cum laude as a "lifer" from Winchester Thurston School in 1980, earned a B.A. in economics, and an MBA, from the University of Chicago in 1985 and a PhD from Duke University in political science as an Africanist, specializing in ethnic conflict,  in 2004. Between business school and earning her doctorate, her interest in empowerment and conflict resolution led her to the Peace Corps for 3 1/2 years in Corozal, Honduras (1986-1989), where she helped the local Garifuna women, African descendants, develop their small business - a cassava bread making factory, and that then led her to the World Bank in Washington, DC for a brief stint. In Durham, while working on her masters and doctorate degrees, she also became a trained mediator, using principles of non-violent communication in her work for the postal service in dispute resolution. When she returned to Kenya to continue her research, she also developed and practiced her interest in alternative medicine and healing techniques. She lived life by her own rules and on her own terms, passionate in her idealism and devotion to people's self-determination. She was a world traveler, across Africa, part of Asia, Europe, Central and South America, and climbed Kilimanjaro, Mt. Fuji, and Machu Picchu. She was an avid opera, classical music, and Pittsburgh Steelers fan, and she played Spanish style classical guitar. Those who knew her will miss her intelligence, idealism, and fondness for puns. Services at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside on Thursday at 11 AM. Visitation one hour prior to services (10 - 11 AM). Interment West View Cemetery of Rodef Shalom Congregation. Donations in Lesa's memory may be sent to the Pittsburgh Opera, the Pittsburgh Symphony, and the Jewish Federation of Greater of Pittsburgh, or a charity of the donor's choice. www.schugar.com