Click this link to view the Live Stream of Elizabeth's Funeral Service

Clifton Park, NY- Elizabeth Mary Smith Fijal, better known as Lisa, was born March 19th, 1961, in Rockville Centre, NY on Long Island. The daughter of Joseph Gregory (dec.) and Marie Elizabeth Smith, she was the fifth of seven siblings; Ann, Maria, Gregory, Peter, Steven, and Jonathan.

Soon afterwards, her family moved to Northport, NY where she attended the Academy of St. Joseph in Brentwood, NY through 10th grade until transferring to Northport High School in order to take Advanced Placement courses where she graduated in 1979.  During this time, Lisa became interested in music and started playing the piano, a hobby she enjoyed her entire life.  She was trained by a Julliard instructor in the classical tradition, playing scores from the most famous composers.

After high school, Lisa graduated from the University of Virginia in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. A lifetime learner, she enjoyed the academic rigor of her classes but also sought to validate the biblical principles of her early education. In her pursuit of truth, she found purpose in Christianity and committed her life to serving Christ during her senior year through a group of InterVarsity friends – a defining moment in her life.

Out of college, Lisa worked in the computer science industry as a developer in the Washington DC metro. She enjoyed playing as a striker on her co-ed soccer team and built lifelong friendships with members of her church congregation. During a vacation to Boston in the summer of 1986, she met Alan Albert Fijal and had what she called "the best week of her life". Lisa and Al were married on November 14th, 1987, in Huntington, NY, and moved to Winter Springs, FL to be near Al's work, before settling in Clifton Park, NY for three decades. Their marriage was built on service to God, one another, and their communities, and they were blessed with four children.

A woman of many talents, she chose to apply her analytical mindset to being a teacher because of her passion for classical Christian education. She was one of four founding members of the Augustine Classical Academy in Mechanicville, NY, and served faithfully as the school's mathematics teacher for 12 years. During her tenure, she developed strong relationships with her students and was influential in many of their lives, taking great pride in writing letters of recommendation for their college applications.

At her core, Lisa was a woman of faith who cherished her Christian values dearly. She exemplified love and forgiveness in all walks of life and felt strongly about the importance of building and maintaining relationships while boldly encouraging others to do the same, especially during this last year. She enjoyed working hard – whether as a wife, a mother, a teacher, or a student – and always held herself to standards of excellence. Lisa was deeply committed to providing the best care possible for her offspring as Mom and MomMom, a name she adopted from the connection she had with her own grandmother. She enjoyed making contributions to her community as well, serving in various capacities as a member of Our Savior's Church and teaching pro bono classes in local homeschooling groups.

A night owl her whole life, Lisa passed into glory in the comfort of her home at 12:50am on September 25th, 2023, at the age of 62 surrounded by her husband, children, and grandchildren after weeks of visits from family and friends. The Fijal Family expresses their sincere thanks to Dr. Jovana Martin and the nurses and staff at the Woman's Cancer Care Center at St. Peter's Hospital for their care and support. She leaves behind her husband, Alan, sons Jonathan and Thomas (wife Tania, children Martina and Mia), and daughters Elizabeth Haemmerle (husband Matthew, children Lucy and Benjamin) and Julie Helfer (husband Nathaniel).

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 4-7pm on Friday September, 29, 2023 at the William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.  A funeral service will be conducted at 11am on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 63 Mountain View Ave., Albany, NY 12205.  Burial will be held following a light reception at the church in St. Peter's Cemetery, 150 West Ave. Saratoga Springs, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please direct charitable donations to the Lisa Fijal Memorial Tuition Assistance Fund, a need-based financial aid program for enabling students the opportunity to the education Lisa poured herself into. Donations can be made online at www.augustineca.org under "Giving" or by mailing a check to 7 North Main St., Mechanicville, NY 12118, noting the name of the fund on your donation.