Glena "Jean" Fisher's Obituary
Glena “Jean” Fisher, 89, passed away August 16, 2020 in Chicago, IL.
She was born in Cleveland, OH on September 20, 1930 to Earl and Alice Doering. Beloved wife of Donald; loving mother of Kathie (William) Scoggan and Laurie (Ronald “Randy”) Napier; dear sister of Joan (the late Victor) Fontana; grandmother of four and great-grandmother of six.
When Lutheran Hospital presented its newest additions to the world on September 20, 1930, Glena Jean Doering led the class. From being a constant presence in the Brighton neighborhood in Cleveland with her dog Spotty, Jean breezed through Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary School and Wilbur Wright Junior High School with honors before her first day as a West Tech Warrior in 1944. Legendary Principal C.C. Tuck was perceptive enough to make her an Office Assistant, and she proceeded to hold Student Council office, to be elected Prom Queen, and to earn the honor of Class Salutatorian – all while organizing the “Smoothies” social club and attending the Billy Tilton Modeling School! The West Tech motto of “Always Loyal, Always True” genuinely described Jean’s student days and accurately predicted her future.
Jean’s work history began at the age of 14 with 21 part-time years at the old Market House measuring butter and cheese pound by pound and ounce by ounce. Full time employment included five years at Citizens Federal Savings and Loan as Head Book Keeper and 17 years at Graphic Laminating as Staff Accountant. However, Jean always made it very clear that the job she loved the best was being a House Wife, Mother, Head Grounds Keeper, Head Accountant, Head Cook, Head Errand Runner, etc.
Jean’s life changing moment came when she met Don Fisher at a roller skating party when she was 16. On September 3, 1950 they were married, and she got two new names: last name “Fisher” and first name (at least as far as Don was concerned) “Jellybean.” Daughter Kathie was born in 1953 and daughter Laurie followed in 1958. The Fisher family took on all comers in party throwing, golfing, boating, water skiing, bowling, roller skating, and even tennis. Jean was a main cog in every activity including travels with friends throughout the United States and ten foreign countries.
Everyone who knew Jean was able to experience one of her three top qualities: love of family, loyalty to friends, and her passion to serve others. Her commitment to family had the foundation of nearly 70 years of marriage to her best friend and husband, Don. Her two favorite things to do in life were (1) being with family and friends ad (2) sitting alone on the dock at Chippewa Lake daydreaming about family and friends. She was a world class daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grand mother, sister, aunt and friend. She was fiercely loyal – always there for family and friends in good times and bad. Jean’s passion for life was a genuine comfort for those around her. She cherished each of life’s moments and the people who filled those moments.
The last several years of Jean’s life deprived her of the mobility that she had always treasured; however, it did not deprive her of her pride, dignity, and commitment to others. Splitting time between her two daughters in Chicago and Durham, North Carolina respectively was at times challenging but a peaceful respite that kept her in the good hands of family as well as the staff at Autumn Green Assisted Living Community in Chicago Illinois.
A Memorial Service will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Arthritis Foundation, 1355 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 600, Atlanta, GA.
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