'Beacon Of Kindness' Battles Cancer, Foreclosure In Mystic

MYSTIC, CT — A longtime server at Steak Loft and many other local restaurants is facing foreclosure on her home. Lisa Policarpo is also battling stage four cancer and lives with a disability.

The community is coming to her aid as a GoFundMe was organized by Priscilla Wells.

"Lisa Policarpo is a beacon of kindness in our Mystic community," Wells wrote. "You may know her from her warm smile and caring service at the Steak Loft restaurant and many other local restaurants over the years."

Policarpo, 68, was a server and hostess at the Steak Loft in Olde Mistick Village for 28 years. She left after a terminal cancer diagnosis in 2016, The Day of New London reported.

She lives in Mystic with her daughter and granddaughter in a home the family has owned for generations.

"After her husband left, Lisa discovered he had accumulated debts in her name—debts she wasn’t aware of," Wells wrote. "Now, she is facing the unimaginable: the potential foreclosure of her lifelong home. This home isn’t just a roof over Lisa’s head; it’s a sanctuary for three generations. Her daughter and young granddaughter live with her and depend on her for stability and support."

Her fight against cancer limits her ability to work as she once did. She returned to part-time work at the Steak Loft in September due to mounting debts, The Day reported.

"Despite these challenges, she’s fighting to protect her family and stabilize her finances," Wells wrote. "Lisa has secured legal help to create a plan, but time is running out to save her home."

The fundraiser seeks to cover Policarpo's mortgage payments and to stop foreclosure proceedings.

As of Friday morning, $15,963 of a $25,000 goal had been raised on 175 donations.

View the GoFundMe by clicking here.