Lisa Derbacher Matusovich

lisa matusovich

January 25, 1962 ~ February 6, 2022

Born in: New Haven, CT
Resided in: Hamden, CT

Lisa Ann Derbacher Matusovich, 60, of Hamden, passed away on February 6, 2022 surrounded by her family. She was born in New Haven on January 25, 1962 to the late Barbara Neumann Derbacher and Joseph Derbacher of Hamden. She met her husband Robert in 1979, married in 1986, and eventually had their only child; a daughter named Kolby.
Lisa graduated from Hamden High School in 1980, and then later had a career as a hairdresser for almost 40 years. For the past 12 years she co-owned Belle Cheveux Salon in Cheshire. Lisa also was the office manager at The Joan Lynn Dance Company; the very studio where her daughter has been dancing for over 20 years. Lisa was a ray of sunshine to all who knew her and was the most kind and thoughtful person you would ever meet. She was always making birthday cakes for her co-workers and friends, so that they could celebrate their special day. When Lisa wasn’t working, she loved to spend time with her husband and daughter. She loved to travel and one of her favorite places to visit was Texas-specifically Waco. She was a HUGE fan of Chip and Joanna Gaines. She also enjoyed going to rock concerts with her husband and daughter. She loved all animals, and leaves behind three dogs, Maizie, Star, and Oliver, and a cat, Chloe. Lisa also loved to go to the beach and go shopping-she always said that as long as she had her keys and a full tank of gas, there wasn’t any destination too far. Her Wednesday nights were occupied by her adult tap class, which she was proudly a member of for the past 15 years.
One of her favorite life mottos was, “Suck it up, Buttercup.” Lisa believed that you could face any obstacle thrown at you with a positive mindset, along with a will to succeed.
Besides her husband Robert, her daughter Kolby, and her father Joseph, Lisa will be lovingly remembered by her sister Susan Derbacher (Ann Ruggiero) and countless other relatives and friends. Her entire family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Johanna LaSala and the nursing staff on the 9th floor of Smilow Cancer Hospital for their kindness and warmth.
Friends are invited to join Lisa’s family on Friday, February 11th for a Memorial Mass celebrating her life at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 2819 Whitney Ave, Hamden. Burial will be private. BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden in care of arrangements. Donations in Lisa’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org/donate.

Services

Mass of Christian Burial: February 11, 2022 11:00 am

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church
2819 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518

203-248-0141

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Dear Joe, Susan, Robert and Kolby, I am so sorry and saddened to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with you all and I hope you can find some peace and comfort during this terribly difficult time. She has left this world much too soon.
    Lisa, I will always fondly remember the great times we spent together as young, exuberant teenagers in a time when the world was much less complicated and much more forgiving. It was also so nice to see the lovely woman and Mom you grew into. I will pray for your safe passage to your new home. May God Bless you and Keep you Safe and Free of Suffering.
    Love Always

  2. Dear Joe, Susan and Kolby. I was so shocked to read in the newspaper that Lisa passed away. I am heartbroken and in shock. Please accept my sincere condolences and know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.

  3. Dear Robert, Joe, Kolby and Susan,

    My sincerest condolences on your loss. Lisa was the little kid sister to all of us on Gorham Avenue. She was a bright light and always displayed great confidence as our youngest member. Those were great times full of great memories and I will keep Lisa in my prayers. May God be with you in this difficult time.

    Matt Giglietti

  4. Joe, Susan and Family ~ I am so sorry that Lisa passed away. My sincere condolences and know that all of you are in my prayers and thoughts.

  5. Dear Joe Susan Robert and Colby. My sincere condolences on the loss of your Lisa. I will always remember her fondly as part of my childhood and our happy times on Gorham Avenue. Great times spent together. I will keep you all in my prayers and will think of you all during this most difficult time.
    Love to you all, Ann Prunier

  6. Dear Robert, Colby, Joe and Susan. My deepest condolences on the loss of your Lisa. I will always remember her as a part of my childhood days growing up on Gorham Avenue. Many beautiful memories. I will remember her in my prayers and will be thinking of you all during this very sad time. Keep all your memories in your hearts and she will be alive in them forever. Gods blessings to you all.

  7. Dear Robert, Kolby, Joseph, Susan and Ann,
    Marie and I send our deepest sympathy and prayers to all of you at this time. Your hearts are heavy but your special angel is now watching out for you from heaven. Lisa was always a delight when we were in her company. We were going to be neighbors at one time in Hamden but our house plans fell through. I am so sorry that I cannot attend her Mass in Celebration of her Life but I am still teaching. Prayers and hugs, Love Ann and Marie

  8. Dear Joe and family. We are so sorry to hear of Lisa’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Cherish all the precious memories you have of your dear Lisa and tuck them away in your ❤️ forever.

  9. Dear Kolby,

    I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your mother. May she rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this most difficult time. I know I can’t make your pain go away, but I am here to lend an ear or a shoulder to cry on. Love you.

    With sincere sympathy,
    Donna

  10. Dear Colby,

    I’m sorry for your loss. Your mom *and you) were always a bright note and oh, so helpful during our annual wreathmaking workshops at Brooksvale Park. I have some photos of those times. If you’d like me to send them to you feel free to contact me through info@friendsofbrooksvale.org

    My prayers to you and your family today and in the coming weeks.
    “Ranger” Kirsten Walker

  11. Dear Joe, Kolby, Robert and Susan. My condolences for your loss. I often tell the story of Lisa not only being my neighbor, but also being in my very first class at Helen Street school. She told her mom she was afraid she would forget and all me Nick instead of Mr Starno. Ironically Kolby was in my very last class at West Woods and Lisa was the room parent. I have hanging on a wall in my house a picture of the school with the face and autograph of each member of the class. I also have a beautiful statue that has been in my garden since that year. Those are both the result of Lisa’s kindness and leadership. She will always live on in my memory for the kindness she exemplified.

  12. Dear Joe, Kolby, Robert and Susan. My sincere condolences for your loss. As a teacher, I often tell the story of Lisa not only being my neighbor, but also being in my very first class at Helen Street school. She told her mom she was afraid she would forget and all me Nick instead of Mr Starno. Ironically Kolby was in my very last class at West Woods and Lisa was the room parent. I have hanging on a wall in my house a picture of the school with the face and autograph of each member of the class. I also have a beautiful statue that has been in my garden since that year. Those are both the result of Lisa’s kindness and leadership. She will always live on in my memory for the kindness she exemplified.

  13. Dear Kolby, Joe, Robert and Susan,
    My deepest condolences for your loss Times like this make people realize the special ways someone touches their life Lisa was not just a neighbor but a former student Having known me for all her life , she told her mother she was terrified she would call me Nick instead of Mr. Starno. Ironically, that was my very first year teaching My last year was the year i had Kolby in my class and Lisa was our room parent. When i retired there were two very special gifts the class gave me One was a beautiful statue which has graced my garden ever since Also on a wall in my house is a picture of the school with the face and autograph of each student in that class I know Lisa was responsible for both gifts That is the kind of person she was Her kindness will always be appreciated and she will be sorely missed

  14. Susan,
    I extend my condolences to you, Ann and the rest of your family during what I’m sure is a difficult time.

  15. Dear Joe, Robert, Kolby, Susan and family

    We are all shocked and saddened by the loss of Lisa. The memories we share from many years ago on Gorham ave. Wow! There are plenty to remember and hold onto. Even though time goes by you don’t forget the times shared with special people in your life. I wish we could make things better for all of you, we will just pray to god that you will be strong and get through this. Lisa will always be with you. Thinking of all , Love Irene, Valerie, Gayle and Albert DePalma

  16. Dear Joe: My heartfelt condolence to you and Lisa’s family during this most difficult time. I pray that all the wonderful memories you have will help as time goes on. May she rest in peace with our Lord.
    Love and prayers,
    Vivian

  17. Dear Family-I was absolutely heart broken when I opened the paper yesterday. I remember Lisa as that little girl who always made all of us smile…..our little sister. Sweet- but determined-a bundle of love. I know that heaven will be made much brighter with her smile. Although you will miss her terribly, she will be at peace and that is all we can ask for as we remember her in our prayers. Sending love to all of you. Mimi and Bill Pilotte P.S. Barbara Reiber also sends her love and condolences. She is now at Hamden Health Care and is very sorry that she can’t be there with you, but she will be saying rosaries for all of you.

  18. Sue and family,
    Dave and I are so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved sister. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Cherish all your wonderful memories.

    Michelle and David Fusco

  19. Kolby and family,
    We are sorry for your loss. Cherish your memories our thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Tyler, Karen, Mike Bogrette

  20. Dear Mr. Derbacher, Bob, Kolby and Susan,
    There are no words I can put in this guestbook to express how sad I am about the loss of Lisa. She was truly an unbelievable caring and loving person. All of you are in my thoughts. Cherish the memories and know that all of you are in my prayers.
    Sincerely, Ron Vecellio


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