Lisa Wong (aka Lisa Price) (aka Magical Unicorn)

Lisa was a unicorn, beautiful and unique in every way. Lisa was always looking out for other people. She helped people quietly, not for the accolades or a thank you. She was a vibrant, generous, smart, funny, loving wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, and beloved friend.

Lisa Mae Wong began her life on May 18, 1969, in San Jose, California, where she was born to Benjamen and Sigrid Wong and her older sister, Heidi. Shortly after Lisa’s birth, the family moved to Ventura, California. A few years later, younger sister Susi came along. Being the daughter of two immigrant parents, a Chinese father from the Philippines and a German mother, Lisa had a culturally rich, diverse, and well-traveled childhood. Family vacations were often camping trips in the Sequoias and road trips up and down the coast of California to see museums or other natural wonders. One summer, it was a road trip camping across the United States in the family’s VW van. Visiting extended family generally meant traveling to other continents, which took the family to the Philippine Islands, Hong Kong, Germany, and most of Western Europe. Here was the planted seed for Lisa’s love of traveling!

With blood relatives so far away, “adopted” grandparents, aunties, and uncles rounded out the early years. Grandma Marion and Grandpa John (Marion and John Napier) taught Lisa the importance of family and family traditions, unconditional love, and the importance of “grandparents.” There were lots of family camping trips together, and Thanksgivings were spent in Santa Cruz, California, making holiday wreaths and decorations from evergreen clippings, playing Rummy, and watching movies together.
Grandaddy Hammaker (William B. Hammaker), who was the founder of the first YMCA in Ventura, CA, was another grandfather to the Wongs. He was an impeccable example of human kindness, always perpetuating social justice, equality, and peace. He passionately taught composting and gardening in his later years to anyone who would listen and organized “Go-See-Ask” tours of fun and interesting places in the community. He taught Lisa the value and importance of supporting the community by bringing knowledge, thought-provoking conversations, and support to create positive change.
And just one more of the many sets of grandparents were Grandma and Grandpa Bosman (Al and Doris Bosman). They always threw the best weekend pool parties! They taught Lisa that life should not be all work but that you have to stop and enjoy it along the way. Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.
Whether they knew it or not, ALL of the grandparents in Lisa’s life shone through in her poignant, thoughtful, and magical existence. The love she had for her family, the support she had for her community, and she always threw an amazing party!

Lisa's adolescent school years included Saticoy Elementary, Cabrillo Middle, and Buena High Schools. Lisa was curious, charismatic, and adventurous. She kept busy in Girls Scouts, playing the piano, attending Chinese Language School and was even in the Color Guard for Buena’s marching band. She formed many friendships during her school years that have lasted a lifetime. Lisa always lived life to its fullest enjoying friends, dancing, and concerts whenever she could. She made lifelong friends and memories that will extend beyond her years, living on in all those who had the pleasure of sharing that time and space with her.

After graduating from Buena High School in 1987, Lisa went on to attend Ventura College. But, in May of 1989, her college education stalled with the birth of her son. Her son was born with significant medical issues. Frustrated with the lack of clarity and too many unanswered questions the Western Medical profession left her with, the experience with her son was ultimately the catalyst that spurred her journey toward Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Acupuncture and TCM just made sense to Lisa answering the root questions Western Medicine could not. With the fire of a newfound passion and life’s purpose driving her; Lisa graduated with a Master's Degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine in 1994 from Emperor’s College of Traditional Oriental Medicine in Santa Monica, California.

Her new career as an Acupuncturist first took her to the Island of Maui, Hawaii where she worked in a chiropractor's office for a couple of years and although she loved living in Maui, she soon found her way back home to California. She humbly started her Acupuncture practice in the childhood home where her Mother still lived. The family-room served as the waiting room and a bedroom, the treatment room. She gratefully gained neighbors, friends, and family friends as patients, quickly growing her practice. Through hard work, perseverance, and sincere compassion for her patients, Lisa was soon able to move into a real office of her own. In January of 2000, Lisa opened her first office in Ventura, across the street from the local hospital. This would be the humble beginning of what would later become the Holistic Healing Center.

Through her practice, Lisa made significant contributions to her community founding the Holistic Healing Center (Ventura, CA) in 2003, practicing Acupuncture, and supporting all forms of holistic healing and health. She was a lifelong learner constantly deepening her wealth of knowledge with new information, innovations and approaches to holistic living, health and healthcare. In her 22+ year career, Lisa gave selflessly, treating and improving numerous lives. She not only improved the health, and quality of life for thousands of individuals but also helped countless couples assisting them with fertility, conception, healthy pregnancies, and completing their families.

In 2000, Lisa met this guy… and they started dating… and in January of 2003, Lisa married the love of her life, James Price. They began their life together, supporting each other in everything they did.

Traveling was Lisa’s elixir of life. As soon as she got married, she made a Bucket List of places she wanted to see and things she wanted to do- sail the Panama Canal, see penguins in the South Pole, visit volcanoes and mineral mud pools in Iceland, see Geysers in Montana, sky dive, shop the Christmas market in Germany, snorkel with the fish in Fiji and Bora Bora, just to name a few. Together with her husband Jim, careful planning, and lots of To-Do Lists, Lisa was able to accomplish almost all of the plans on her List.

In 2016, the unexpected discovery of ovarian cancer changed the world for Lisa and everyone connected to her. But rather than fold and give-up, Lisa dug-in and set-off to learn everything she could about this cancer and all of the latest research, treatments, and trials- both Western and Alternative. She was given a six month to 2-year survival estimate but that wasn’t acceptable to Lisa. Through her research and blending of traditional, Alternative, and Chinese Medicine, Lisa defied the doctors, often being referred to as a unicorn and lived another six years. She had things to do!

In spite of the looming diagnosis, Lisa continued to live life to its fullest enjoying the best family milestones including her son’s wedding and the birth of her Granddaughter. Lisa spent as much time as possible with family, close friends, and her sweet granddaughter, Winnie. Along with her son Jared, Winnie was the sunshine of her life.

Lisa loved attending the Boys & Girls Club annual Gala. Jim had been a long-time supporter through his business, Diversified Minerals, so they made it a tradition to attend annually. At the Gala, the students walk around showcasing and modeling the auction items, specifically the diamond necklaces. One year, Lisa bid and won a diamond necklace. But, rather than keep the necklace for herself, she decided to give it to the girl modeling it as a gift. Of course, after that it became tradition for her to give the auction item as a gift.

The goal of Lisa’s Legacy Fund is to do what Lisa did best, recognize potential, support those working hard to achieve their dreams, and give deserving individuals a helping hand toward the next phase of their lives. Lisa has always been a giver, always generous to those she crossed paths with. She was generous of heart, with her healing, with her time, and loved any opportunity to create joy.
The most wonderful thing about the B&G Club is how they give kids a chance to become their most amazing selves. Lisa always loved helping people. She was fortunate to have so many wonderful people supporting her while she overcame challenging hurdles of her own, giving her the opportunity to become an amazing, brilliant acupuncturist. Lisa was relentless in finding ways to continue challenging herself and really believed in the B&G Club’s focus on positive environments and lifelong learning.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme (BGCOP) is a nonprofit organization that has been inspiring and enabling young people to reach their full potential since 1954. With three full-service clubs, 13 school program sites, and one housing site, BGCOP serves over 7,200 children in the area with after school programming and other services.

Your donations can help ensure that these kids have access to the resources they need to build great futures for themselves. By donating to BGCOP, you can help make a difference in the lives of countless children in the Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme area.