School employee, moms advocate Lisa Sweeting of Brookfield dies at 45
BROOKFIELD – Grade school office administrator Lisa Sweeting, an advocate for local mothers who died May 13, left a legacy of love for her family, friends and students. She was 45. She was passionate and well-known for her generosity and outspokenness as well as her outgoing and energetic personality, according to her family.
A Brookfield resident, Sweeting died at Danbury Hospital after suffering a pulmonary embolism.
“It’s been hard, but we have been getting a lot of love and support from people she knew, and it shows how much of an impact she made with everyone she met,” said her husband, Russell Sweeting. “She always gave a great first impression to everyone she met the first time.
“Education was a big part of her life, and the student environment was important. She always wanted kids to feel good about being in school.”
Lisa Sweeting was an office administrator at St. Rose of Lima School in Newtown for the past four years. Recently, she added athletic director to her responsibilities, which included scheduling games and supervising sports at the school.
Before working at St. Rose, she was the admissions supervisor at St. Joseph School in Brookfield.
“Lisa always had a presence at our school, she was a big supporter of Catholic schools, and we will miss her,” St. Rose principal Bardhyl Gjoka said. “She was a big help, always completing tasks and was wellliked in the community.
“This is a huge loss for our school.”
Lisa Sweeting had also volunteered for MOMS Club of Brookfield, or Moms Offering Moms Support, when her children were younger. At one point, she became its regional president.
“When we were in MOMS Club together, what I remember about Lisa is she was always helpful and very welcoming when it came to the other moms,” said Ellen Morgan, who now resides in North Carolina. “Lisa empowered other moms to be strong and confident.”
Longtime friend Jennifer Conlon said when it came to how Sweeting interacted with people, it was always a judgment-free zone.
“Lisa was like family, an authentic and genuine person,” Conlon said. “We did a lot of fundraisers together when our kids were at St. Joe’s School. She always accepted you for who you were with no judgment. It’s why kids loved her.
“Lisa was a wonderful mom and wife and encouraged people to live life to its fullest. She embraced life and she was always a ton of fun to be around.”
In addition to her husband, Lisa Sweeting is survived by her children Lily, Ryan and Evelyn; her parents Thomas John Giallanza and Patricia Anne Manelski; and her brothers, Tom Jr. and Michael.
Services were held at Honan Funeral Home in Newtown and at St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown.