Nancy Fisher

July 3, 1934 - January 20, 2023

SAN DIEGO — Nancy Fisher lost her battle with cancer on January 20, 2023. Her will to live was strong, which she shared with everyone she came in contact until the very end.

Nancy was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Paul and Shirley Dulyn. She attended Redford High School and Michigan State University before graduating from the Ohio State University in 1956 with a BS in Home Economics. An active Buckeye alumna, she relished every victory over the Wolverines.

She met her future husband, Benjamin Fisher, also from Detroit, while on their high school trips to Washington, DC. They married in 1954. Nancy began teaching in Ohio and they moved across the country as Ben pursued a career in the Navy. In 1960 they relocated to San Diego, California, where they would make their permanent home and raise their two children, Mark and Tracey.

Nancy’s passions included family, creativity, education, and her community. While initially working in secondary education, she transitioned to teaching adult school in the continuing education system. She was a much beloved teacher and her quilting and sewing classes overflowed with many students who would return every semester. At times to her dismay, she could not rest on her laurels and would continue to be challenged to develop new lesson plans and class projects to appeal to her faithful students. Even upon retirement, Nancy remained a sought-after substitute teacher.

Nancy owned a yarn/ needlework/quilt shop with a fellow teacher, and they were a fixture in their Point Loma community. She was an avid quilter and recognized for her artful piecing work. She never met fabric that she didn’t like and on her various travels, finding that small town quilt store was one of her most treasured quests.

Nancy was also a lifelong student as her creative interests evolved and expanded with time. Her nirvana was a retreat where fellow students would be in an immersive environment as they honed their talents. There, as everywhere, she would develop meaningful friendships. Her most recent creative pursuits were in book arts and autobiographical story writing, the latter for which her family is especially grateful.

Over the years, Nancy was involved in various women’s organizations such as PEO and Wednesday Club, education associations, quilt and sewing guilds, as well as her church. She participated in numerous volunteer organizations, and in her later years not only enjoyed ushering at the Old Globe and working at Visions Art Museum, but also being a poll worker. She appreciated the chance to catch up with neighbors while checking them in to vote, and what a win-win that was for her.

The role Nancy most cherished was that of grandma to Kendall and Logan, Mark and Jill’s children. She considered herself extremely fortunate to have them growing up near her in San Diego and to participate in their passage to adulthood. Her red and purple attire was proudly on display at their high school functions.

She is survived by children Mark (Jill) and Tracey, sister Martha Krenek, two grandchildren, a niece, and two nephews. A celebration of life is planned for March 18th, 2 PM at First United Methodist Church of San Diego. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests an act of service in Nancy’s name.