Lisa Marie Dell’Alba, 46, president and chief executive officer of the Square One Markets convenience-store chain, died Sunday.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-based Square One Markets was founded in 1971 by her father, Gary Dell’Alba. The company’s 11 convenience stores are located in five counties across central Pennsylvania.
Dell’Alba joined the family business in the roles of manager, category manager, human resource director and vice president of operations, according to the National Association of Convenience Stores. She became president of Square One Markets in 2009. She has served as vice chair of the NACS legislative committee since October 2022, vice chair of member services for NACS from 2020 to 2022 and as chair of the board of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) since August 2020.
Lisa Dell’Alba was born on June 30, 1978, in Easton, Pennsylvania, to the late Gary and Judith (Berg) Dell’Alba. She graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School in 1996 and earned her bachelor's degree from DeSales University.
She was also a dancer, involved with tap, ballet, jazz and modern dance since she was three years old. While running a thriving retail business, she kept her passion for tap dancing alive by performing and teaching the craft to neighborhood youth. In 2015, Dell’Alba spoke to CSP about her work and art and how she strikes that balance.
“It is almost impossible to fathom that someone with so much vitality, zest for life and embrace of new experiences could be mortal,” said Mitch Morrison, vice president of retailer relations and event content director at CSP parent company Informa Connect. “Lisa seemed indestructible to me. She was so adventurous and unafraid. In addition to her dancing and self-defense studies, I remember when she told me she was experimenting with tight roping. Amazing! Lisa knew everyone by name and had a ready story and easy smile that immediately made you feel like you were her best friend. Indeed, Lisa Dell’Alba was our industry’s greatest ambassador and friend.”
“There was no part of Lisa that wasn’t about giving back. She was more than passionate about our industry—she was passionate about the people. She led by example and inspired and motivated so many people,” NACS President and CEO Henry Armour said.
“Lisa approached life with strength, determination and an unshakable will. No matter the obstacle, she faced it head-on, never backing down, always leading with heart and courage. She was not just a professional force but also a deeply compassionate soul who made everyone around her feel valued and heard,” Rahim Budhwani, CEO of Encore Franchises LLC, Birmingham, Alabama, said in a LinkedIn post. “Her laughter, her wisdom and her unwavering support will be deeply missed. The industry has lost a true leader, and I have lost an irreplaceable friend. But Lisa’s legacy—of resilience, kindness and excellence—will live on in all of us who were lucky enough to know her.”
“Lisa was not only an incredible businesswoman but also a dear friend,” said Jeff Kahler, president of Ready Training Online, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. “Lisa possessed remarkable business acumen and people skills, and she will be deeply missed.”
Dell’Alba is survived by her husband, Steve Rosati and their son, Coltrane Rosati; sister, Brenda Rosado; brother-in-law, John Rosado; niece, Kayla Rosado; and nephew, Gavin Rosado; as well as her colleagues and friends.
The family will receive guests at Connell Funeral Home in Bethlehem on Feb. 20, with a service to celebrate Lisa’s life to follow, officiated by her friend, Pastor Jodie Harney. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Lisa's memory to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Hagerstown, Maryland. Donations can also be made online at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.