Elizabeth Lee Duke (Slack)

Elizabeth “Lisa” Duke, known as Betsy during her childhood, passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 20, 2025, at the age of 68. Born on August 16, 1956, in Plymouth, Indiana, Lisa was the third of four children to Robert and Irma Slack.

Lisa’s journey took her from Plymouth, IN, to Brownsville, OR in 1986; where she remained and raised her two children. She embraced multiple roles in life: homemaker, skilled horse trainer, passionate 4-H horse club leader, craft maker and talented seamstress. She formed cherished friendships with individuals from all walks of life and was known for her remarkable sense of humor, even maintaining her lighthearted spirit throughout her final days. Her profound love for animals, especially horses, was a defining aspect of her identity. 

Lisa was a fearless and determined individual, never allowing obstacles to deter her from pursuing her dreams. In 2001, she went back to college and graduated with honors, all while battling breast cancer and living with Parkinson’s disease. That same year, she met her long-time partner, Peter Vanderlip and they shared 20 wonderful years together, splitting their time between homes in Oregon and Hawaii after she retired from Oregon State University in 2011.

One of Lisa’s greatest joys was her role as a grandmother. Her first grandchild, Tyler, was born in 2008, followed by Sloane, Bryant, Jakob and finally Tatum in 2020.

Although Parkinson’s disease eventually prevented Lisa from riding horses, her passion for animals remained unwavering. She shared her life with her beloved pets, including her Maine Coon cat, Baxter, and her Rag doll cat, Ivy, who stayed by her side until her passing.

Lisa is survived by her brothers, Howard and Gordon Slack; her sister, Christine Houghton; her children, Justin Duke (wife Beth Duke) and Caitlin Taylor (husband CJ Taylor) and her five grandchildren.

In lieu of a traditional service, her daughter plans to spread Lisa’s ashes at the American Quarter Horse World Show during the Fall of 2025. Her family invites all who knew and loved her to celebrate her life by taking a moment to remember her in their own way and are encouraged to share any positive memories with the family.