Remembering Irene Fisher
A Celebration of Life was held for Irene Fisher on September 25th at Solebury Friends Meeting; the following remembrance was included in the program.
It has been edited for clarity and length.
Irene P. Fisher was born in High Point, North Carolina. Her family attended Springfield Friends Meeting. Irene and her younger sister, Ruby, were the first in their family to graduate from college. Throughout her whole life, Irene promoted the value of higher education to all.
After World War II, Irene and her first husband, Ralph Evens Payne, lived in Bristol, PA, and then moved into the rural area of Bucks County near Newtown. They had three children, Kathryn “Kitty,” Philip and Karen. In 1956, Ralph died, and Irene raised her children while teaching English to junior high students in the Council Rock School District. Her family attended Wrightstown Friends Meeting.
In 1966, Irene married Jack Fisher, and, with her children and Jack’s daughter, Tina, the family moved to a larger home in Solebury. Both Irene and Jack were active members of the Solebury Friends Meeting. Irene was a passionate supporter of peace, social justice and a healthy environment.
Throughout her life, Irene was an avid reader, but also an avid gardener, sharing large bouquets of flowers whenever she could. She lovingly worked with the soil in her garden and she “soaked up” the presence of tall trees. Sharing a quiet moment with a beautiful sunset was a gift.
Irene’s belief in education was broader than the classroom. Her book collection reflects curiosity, humor, all religions, personal growth, activism, cooking, science, gardening of course, and “getting the details” how-to books. As in life – she shared her flowers, her bananas, and her books with each and all of us.
In 1998, Irene and Jack relocated to Friends Village in Newtown. After Jack’s death in 1999, Irene remained active at the Solebury Meeting, and was an enthusiastic “force” in the Friends Village community, encouraging other residents to get together, read, stay healthy, and enjoy life. Friendships were very valuable to her, and they deepened and became more important in her last years.
Irene celebrated her 100th birthday at the Village on April 4, 2021, telling a newspaper reporter, “I recommend it!” Irene passed on peacefully at her apartment on Sunday, September 5th, with her son, Philip, and daughter, Karen, caring for her.
Irene is survived by her three children, Kitty, Philip and Karen, stepdaughter Tina, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Her sister Ruby preceded her in death earlier this year.
Gifts in Irene’s name may be sent to one of two charities that she supported in the last years of her life: Cheyenne River Indian Outreach (for children) or OperationSmile (enabling children to smile.