Shrewsbury – Lisa Jo Fracalosi-DiTerlizzi, 54 years young, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at UMASS Memorial Medical Center.
She leaves her loving mother, Nancy J. (Hamerly) and father Daniel DiTerlizzi, of Shrewsbury; her adoring aunt and uncle, Joanne and Tom Hamerly, of Sturbridge; her beloved first cousins, Robert and Kendra Hamerly, of OR, Jessica Hamerly, of Arlington, and Gary Guhman, of FL; and second cousins, Thomas, Vivian, and Alex Hamerly, of OR, and Luca Hamerly-Perez, of Arlington.
Lisa was born in Framingham, and was raised in Shrewsbury – she graduated the Massachusetts Hospital School in Canton, as well as attended several courses at Quinsigamond Community College. She was a member of the Seven Hills Foundation Program for over 20 years, and was a proud member of Team Hoyt New England. Lisa was a very competitive, yet sensitive person, and competed in many wheelchair 5K and 10K events throughout Massachusetts.
At 54, Lisa was able to waterski for the first time with the Webster Adaptive Water Ski Collective. She enjoyed watching sports with her father. She loved and was loved by family and bonded with so many. Lisa had special relationships with the people that knew her, especially the friends that helped pushed her over the finish line.
Lisa was a champion. Faced with adversity, she persisted bravely and with love in her heart. She fully embraced Team Hoyt’s motto, “Yes, you can!” into her life. She won numerous marathons with her partners, and she slept surrounded by a wall full of medals and ribbons – reminders of all she had accomplished.
She traveled to New York and Walt Disney World numerous times, and, as Jordan Knight’s biggest fan, she had been looking forward to attending the New Kids on the Block concert in 2024. Lisa was the founder of Bedazzled Creations, and sold her goods at local craft fairs and bazaars.
From the age of one, Lisa found herself locked in her own body. Her big bright, responsive blue eyes were her only form of communication. With her Eye Gaze computer, Lisa spent hours communicating with the world and corresponding with loved ones and friends. With a new computer, her eyes were becoming adept at controlling her environment.
She loved family most of all, and cherished the special times they shared. Holidays were her favorite. Lisa had a tremendous fighting spirit and embraced life. She wanted to ride grampa’s horse, attend school, go to work, fall in love, and have a family. The nature of humanity was not availing themselves to her.
Lisa was spunky, funny, and compassionate. She is irreplaceable and holds a special place in the hearts of those who knew her and loved her. Lisa is now free of her body and has joined the angels.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Seven Hills Foundation (https://www.sevenhills.org/) or Team Hoyt New England, P.O. Box 33, Rochdale, MA 01542.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Lisa’s family from 10 AM– 12 PM on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at the BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 648 Main St., Shrewsbury, with remembrances to be shared at 12 PM. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury.
You’ve Gone On Ahead. Don’t Wait For Us. We Will Catch Up And Won’t You Be Surprised!
