Lisa Marie Bolton (née Franzese), 46, of Scotch Plains, passed away on Monday, December 22nd, after a courageous nine-year battle with breast cancer. 

A visitation will be held on Sunday, December 28th from 4 pm to 8 pm at Walter Johnson Funeral Home, 803 Raritan Rd., Clark, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, December 29th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, Scotch Plains. Entombment will follow at St. Gertrude Cemetery, 53 Inman Ave., Colonia, NJ.

Born on July 1, 1979, Lisa was born and raised in Staten Island, New York, a place she always held close to her heart. Since 2006, she made her home in Scotch Plains, where she built a life centered on family, service, and community.

Lisa was the beloved wife of Matthew, and together they shared a life grounded in love, partnership, and mutual devotion. She was a deeply loving and dedicated mother to her sons, Alex and Lucas, who were her greatest pride and joy. Everything Lisa did was guided by her love for her children and her desire to give them every opportunity to thrive.

She was the cherished daughter of Joe and Ann Marie Franzese, and sister of Joseph Franzese, whose love and support shaped the compassionate and resilient person Lisa became. Lisa was also a proud and devoted aunt to Alexa Jade, with whom she shared a special and loving bond.

Lisa graduated from St. Joseph Hill Academy High School, SI, NY. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ. She graduated from St. John’s University, Staten Island, NY, with a Master of Science degree in Reading Specialization. 

Professionally, Lisa was a caring and dedicated special education teacher, a role that reflected her patience, empathy, and belief in the potential of every child. Lisa started her teaching career with the NYC Department of Education. After moving to New Jersey, Lisa taught in Berkeley Heights and, most recently, with the Summit Public Schools. She approached her work with the same compassion and commitment that defined her personal life, leaving a lasting impact on her students and colleagues.

For nine years, Lisa faced breast cancer with extraordinary strength, grace, and determination. Even through years of treatment and uncertainty, she chose to live fully, treasuring time with family and friends, and offering kindness and encouragement to others. Her quiet courage and unwavering spirit inspired all who knew her.

Lisa will be remembered for her warmth, her strength, her selflessness, and the deep love she gave so freely. Her legacy lives on through her family and the many lives she touched as a wife, mother, daughter, teacher, and friend.

She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Lisa to the Lisa Bolton Education Fund, created to support the college education of her sons, Alex and Lucas. 

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