It is with broken hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Lisa K. Bugnacki, who left this world peacefully on the morning of November 19, 2025, at 9:45 AM after a long and courageous battle with kidney disease. She was 60 years old.

Born on February 4, 1965, in New Britain, Connecticut, Lisa was the cherished daughter of Lois and Ross Sweeten and later adopted by Mr. James Morris. She spent her early years in Prospect before moving to Waterbury and eventually to a joyful home on Lake Winnemaug in Watertown, where she found peace and happiness paddling on the lake, caring for her pet ducks, and soaking up the sun.

Lisa was a vibrant and sweet spirit full of life, laughter, and love. She thrived in her high school years at Watertown High, where she made lifelong friends, danced at school events, and discovered her passion for fashion and modeling where she proudly placed third in the New England States Pageant.

She loved to travel, exploring Jamaica with friends and touring Sweden and Germany with family. Her creative eye led her to interior design and decorating, but her deepest calling was motherhood. On July 29, 1984, she married Robert Bugnacki and built a beautiful life in Thomaston, raising her daughters Renae and Rebecca with devotion and joy. She was a Girl Scout mom, a poolside cheerleader, and a constant source of love and support.

Juggling all the responsibilities of children and family became very hard as her health started to decline with very little insight from her doctors. It was in 1998 that after years of suffering with migraines and other symptoms, that she was diagnosed with end stage renal disease. With barely any function of her kidneys she needed to start dialysis immediately. Lisa was told she needed a kidney transplant urgently as she was not tolerating the dialysis treatments well.

Her strength never wavered. With her husband Robert as a perfect donor match, she received a successful kidney transplant in April 1999. After weeks of exhausting and painful rehabilitation and recovery, Lisa's life started to look like she could get back to doing all she loved. It took her doctors years to find different medications to aid her in being stable even after the transplant. Yet still this gift of life reignited her spirit, and she poured her energy into creating Esscents Candle and Gift Shop, a family business inspired by her grandmother Pearl Steele. From craft fairs to a storefront on South Main Street, Lisa brought warmth, creativity, and community to everything she touched.

Lisa’s greatest pride was her family. She was delighted with Renae who worked hard with school and helped Lisa with her illness even as a child yet still graduated high school with honors and was the first in their family to get into college and eventually start her own family. Lisa was overjoyed to be able to celebrate and support Rebecca’s service in the U.S. Army, including two tours of duty and how she started her own business and family. She beamed with joy at their weddings, loving that she was able to be there despite her health challenging her. Her deepest happiness was without question found in her grandchildren, Ethan, Mikaela, and Mila. From swinging on the porch together, making pizzas with Ethan, tea parties with Mikaela, to precious cuddles with Mila. They completed her world, and she always just wished for more time to have with them.

As her health declined, Lisa faced each challenge with grace and grit. When her second kidney began to fail and complications arose, she made the brave decision to end dialysis and surrender to God’s will, surrounded by her loving family.

Lisa is survived by her daughters and their husbands, Renae and Michael Gaffney, Rebecca and Alex Dolly; her beloved grandchildren Ethan Gaffney, Mikaela Gaffney, and Mila Dolly; her brother Scott Morris, her uncle James Tilley, and her cousin Jamie Tilley with his spouse Tommy. All her nieces and nephews who filled her world with more joy as she tried to participate in their childhood as well; Randy Tilley and his children and significant other, Rachael Chizinski with her husband and children, Jasmine Morris, Alyssa Morris, Amanda Bugnacki and her fiancé, Ashley Bugnacki, Alyssa Bugnacki, Christopher Bugnacki, David Bugnacki, Benjamin Bugnacki, Linnea Bugnacki, Julia Bugnacki, Ava Bugnacki, and Emma Bugnacki. She will be deeply missed by her brother and sister in-laws.

She was preceded in death by her mother Lois Nemerovsky, her grandmother Pearl Steele, her aunt Suzanne Tilley, her brother Michael Morris, and so many others who she is dancing and laughing away with in the heavens now.

Lisa’s family would like to acknowledge so many of her dear friends who have aided in her battle with her health over the years. These friendships meant so much to her right to the end. She was showered with love and support, especially this last month.

Lisa’s legacy is one of strength, joy, and unconditional love. She taught us how to fight with grace, live with laughter, and love without limits.

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