05/28/2026
Lisa Bragg-Hurlburt
Lisa was not a headline. She was not a statistic. She was an amazing, generous, compassionate, and loving woman whose life cannot be defined by the way it ended.
Lisa treated people with dignity, regardless of their background, their circumstances, or what others may have thought of them. She had a gift for seeing the best in people, including those others may have written off as lost causes. She believed people were worth her time, her attention, and her kindness.
She was deeply committed to the Colfax Public Library and to the Colfax community. To Lisa, the library was never just a building full of books. It was an environment she built to be where people were welcomed, helped, encouraged, and seen. She made time for anyone who came through the library doors.
Lisa’s compassion also showed in the Little Free Food Pantry she helped build and grow. She understood that a library can be a place where people find not only books, but also help, hope, and dignity. With the support of many generous volunteers, the pantry has become an important resource for a large number of individuals and families in our community. It reflects exactly the kind of person Lisa was — someone who saw a need, brought people together, and quietly helped make sure others were cared for.
Her impact on this community will never be fully known, because so much of what Lisa did was done quietly, humbly, and without seeking recognition. She helped people in ways many of us will never hear about. She gave of herself because that is simply who she was.
Lisa also believed deeply in the future of the Municipal Building. She was committed to the restoration of this historic building and took a leading role in the Elevator Project, knowing how important it was to make the building more accessible and welcoming for everyone. Her vision, energy, and commitment will remain part of that work.
The growing flower tribute outside the Village Hall and Library is a beautiful reflection of the love this community has for Lisa. She would have loved it. She would have seen the kindness in it, the care behind it, and the way a community can come together in grief and love.
I can only speak to what I saw as her co-worker and friend. What I saw was a woman who loved this community, served it faithfully, and made people feel valued. Lisa’s life mattered. Her work mattered. Her kindness mattered.
And she will be deeply, deeply missed.
