Lisa Hamblen Jaserie, a board member of the Friends of Hart Park, died on Tuesday, July 25 at the age of 79.
Jaserie had been battling with pulmonary fibrosis that ultimately took her life.
The 47-year Santa Clarita Valley resident attended Hollywood High School in 1955 and studied at UCLA.
At the age of 17, then by the name of Obee Jane, her father Stuart Hamblen recorded her and her sister Veeva in the song “Open Up Your Heart (And Let The Sun Shine In).” The record would go on to make the top 10 in the Billboard Hot 100 in 1955.
After dedicating 30 years of her life to the breeding and racing of the Peruvian Paso horse, Jaserie stepped in to serve as the CEO of the family business, Hamblen Music Company.
She then volunteered her time since 2002 on the Board of Directors for Friends of Hart Park where she worked as treasurer. President of the group and Mayor Pro Tem, Laurene Weste, worked alongside Jaserie during her entire time there. According to Weste, Jaserie had done just about every job on the board, and remained active regardless of her illness.
“Just a hard working, lovely, wonderful, gracious lady. Very gifted, multi-talented woman,” said Weste. “I really enjoyed knowing her, being friends with her, working with her, and it’s an extremely hard loss.”
Lisa Hamblen Jaserie is now survived by her sister Veeva Hamblen Presnell, son Bill Lindsay, and daughter Kim Jaserie.
A memorial service will be held at the “Church of the Hills” in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Hollywood Hills on Saturday, Aug. 12 at 12:30 p.m. followed by a gathering at Hart Hall in Santa Clarita at 4:30 p.m.
