Lise B. Frielinghaus died at her home in Westhampton on January 4, 2018. She was 59.
A graduate of Westhampton Beach High School, she had been an art teacher at Westhampton Beach Middle School since 1995, her third and most rewarding career. A graduate of Syracuse University with a degree in fine arts and illustration, she was recognized by her students as a generous, supportive, creative force, and her classroom was seen as a safe haven. Ms. Frielinghaus was a champion of the underdogs and the marginalized and believed that everyone could benefit from art, survivors said.
A prolific artist, her works adorn many local buildings and homes. Residents may recall her driving around town in her Volkswagen bug with its notable “ArtDawg” license plate, usually with one of her many dogs riding along. Her family remembers her as a kind, humorous, creative, and generous wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend.
Her classroom and life were decorated with quotes that expressed her endlessly creative view of life. To embellish upon one of her favorites from Wicked, “Because we knew her, we have been changed for the better. Because we knew her, we have been changed for good.”
She is survived by her husband of 26 years, Aram Terchunian; and their daughter, Mara (23); her brother, Henry; and sister, Lynn (Steve Rouhandeh); nieces, Sophie, Elizabeth, Chloe, and Cashew; nephews, Robert, Edward, David, Mathias, and Carter; many in-laws (Terchunian, Childs, Nagle, Cline, and Hallock); as well as her pets, Daphne, Mitzy, Rosie, and Pinocchio. Many relatives, neighbors, lifelong friends, and colleagues also survive.
She was predeceased by her father, Henry Frielinghaus; mother Marjorie “Bebe” Frielinghaus; her dogs, Hooter, Tara, Dagmar, and Dieter; and cats, Jersey and Stevens.
Memorial visitation and funeral services were held at the Westhampton Presbyterian Church on January 10.
Memorial donations may be made to the Art Dawg Scholarship that will support aspiring young local artists at Westhampton Beach Schools, Box 1212, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978.