On October 8, 2020, Lisa Marie Friesen passed away peacefully in her sleep. She was 61 years old.




Born on November 10, 1958, and raised in Johnston, RI, Lisa grew up alongside her older sister, Debra, and her many cousins. She attended Johnston High School. After high school Lisa attended Rhode Island College, and got a Bachelor's degree in special education. While in College she was the executive editor of the school newspaper, a member of a Sorority, and participated in many other social groups.




Lisa then left Rhode Island and moved to Missouri to attend the University of Missouri at Columbia. Within the first hour of moving into her new apartment there, she met a 25 year old grad student by the name of Steven Friesen who was, at that time, getting his masters in physics. A short 2 years later Steve and Lisa got married in Providence, RI. And, 1 year and 5 months after that, the two had their first child, Melanie. While pursuing her masters at Brockport College and taking care of her first child, Lisa gave birth to two more children, Matthew and Jeffery. She graduated from Brockport in 1989 and received her masters in education.




Lisa’s first job after graduating from Brockport, and what eventually became her last job, was being a mother to her three children. However, that did not stop Lisa from pursuing a career in education. Lisa taught at several daycares before accepting a job at Community Action, and used the skills she developed as a mom and as an educator to guide dozens of daycares in developing the practices essential to cultivating young minds. She made many sacrifices in every aspect of her life including her career, and the number of children that have been affected by those sacrifices can never be truly calculated.




She spent the final chapter of her life outside of Rochester, NY, where she watched her three kids grow and start their own careers and families. Just before her passing, Lisa got the chance to meet her very first grandchild Oliver Friesen.




Lisa will finally be reunited with her mother Josephine and father Bernardo Corsetti, and will look over and protect the loved ones she spent her life looking after.




While she will be greatly missed, she will never be forgotten. It is sad to think of a world that will not be brightened by her presence. But, what will be left in her absence is not the sorrow of her departure; it is the joy of what she has left behind. Lisa, having been on this earth, has forever illuminated every corner she has touched, and the loved ones who remain will not let her flame be extinguished.




Calling hours Tuesday, October 13 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at Newcomer funeral home at 2636 Ridgeway Ave, Rochester, NY 14626. The building will only allow a max of 35 people at once, masks are required, and social distancing expected.




In lieu of flowers the family asks that people make a contribution to the Jimmy fund.