June 11, 1953 – December 20, 2023

Lisa would often phone me. Often it was to remind me of a birthday that I should acknowledge with a photo, Sometimes the conversation would begin without any context. There was never an introductory “Hello John, this is Lisa”. It was up to me to figure out who I was chatting with. The narrative would start and it took a moment to realize with whom I was talking. I’ll miss those calls. She always referred to her husband Chris as “your cousin” which gave me a sense of inclusion in whatever was going on in their world. I can hear those conversations now in my mind.

Photos

I loved photographing Lisa. She had a very expressive face and one of the best eye rolls I have ever seen. If she heard something that deserved an eye roll, she would look askance and let it fly. Sadly I was never able to capture it on camera. However I’d like to share the photos I do have.

Obituary

Lisa Poltrack, 70, a long-time resident of Stamford passed away at her home on December 20, 2023. Lisa was born in Miami, FL, on June 11, 1953, the daughter of the late Leo and Paula Santagata Belsito. Lisa lived her life full of love and kindness. She treated everyone she met as if they were family. When she wasn’t on the dance floor, she loved gardening, reading, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. During the Summer, you could find Lisa cheering on her son Russell at his baseball games or enjoying time on the beach. Traveling was a passion of Lisa’s. She made annual trips to Provincetown, MA, and Cape May, NJ with her husband Chris. She was lucky enough to have visited Kenya, Nova Scotia, and Bermuda, among other destinations. If you knew Lisa, you probably enjoyed her cooking at some point. When hosting at her house in the Cove, she would leave no mouth unfed and make sure every belly was full. You’d also most likely be leaving with a container of leftovers (if there were any). Lisa was a very active member of Grace Evangelical Free Church. Whether it was singing during church service or cooking food for a luncheon, she was always doing something for the church. Most recently, Lisa relished her life as a retiree and grandmother. Lisa will always be remembered for her selflessness, her loving personality, and her fervor for life and all its opportunities. We love you, Lisa. You will be deeply missed. Lisa is survived by her devoted husband Christopher Poltrack, her loving son Russell and his wife Megan Poltrack, and her cherished grandson Nolan, all of Stamford. She is also survived by a sister Jeanne Jaskolski of WI. Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Myrtle Ave., Stamford, CT on Thursday, December 28, 2023, from 4:00PM to 8:00PM. A memorial service will be held at Grace Evangelical Free Church, 241 Courtland Ave, Stamford, CT on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at 11:00AM. Luncheon to follow. To leave an online condolence please visit www.Cognetta.com