Marian W. Fisher, age 96, passed away on April 12, 2012 in DeLand, FL surrounded by friends and family members. Marian was born in Valdosta, GA, Feb. 22, 1916 to Loris M and Willie Belle Weeks. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Loris M. Weeks, Jr., husband Harold J. Fisher and her oldest son, Wayne A. Fisher. Marian moved to DeLand in 1925, matriculated through the public school system and graduated from DeLand High School in 1933 and was awarded the Citizenship Cup for her class. She went on to graduate from Fla. State College for Women (now FSU) in 1937 with a Bachelor's degree in Education. While at FSCW, Marian briefly held the NCAA record for swimming the 50 yard back stroke. After graduation from college, her first teaching position was in Cross City, FL and she ultimately migrated to DeLand to be closer to her parents. At DHS she met her future husband. Marian and Harold (Red) married May 30, 1938 and raised six children, Wayne A., Harold M., John A., Richard E., Martha A., and Susan J. One of her lifelong goals was to have all of her children seek higher education and be positive contributors to the communities they lived in. She was rewarded with children and grandchildren being awarded Bachelors, Masters and Doctorates in business, engineering, education, criminology and medicine. During World War II, Marian contributed to the war effort by building airplanes for the U.S. Army Air Corps located at the DeLand Airbase. In 1950, she began a 27 year career in the DeLand Public School System teaching Physical Education and coaching sports related activities. She was an inspiration to her students and counseled them in being positive, contributing members to the community. During summer vacations, she worked with the City of DeLand's Recreation Department teaching the many of West Volusia's children to swim. In retirement, she spent many years helping her sons and daughters raise their children, traveling throughout the world and enjoying life as a senior citizen. Marian remained active all of her life teaching swimming, fitness, and exercise at community centers to young kids and senior citizens. In 2009, she was in inducted into the DeLand High School Sports Hall of Fame. Marian was an avid athlete, enjoyed playing golf, tennis and many other outdoor sports. Marian also enjoyed many hobbies as quilting, sewing, needle work / crocheting, and working crossword puzzles. Idleness was not part of character as she developed a proactive approach to life and was a leader by example. She was an avid bridge player who played with a group of friends (Ding-A-Lings) for more than 35 years and spent much of her other time with many of her friends. She was the oldest surviving member of Trinity Methodist Church in DeLand having joined in 1928 and was, at the time, a third generation member. Marian is survived by five of her children-Malcolm (Tallahassee), John A. (Diane, Pell City, AL), Richard E. (Joyce, DeLand), Martha A., (Arthur Parissi, DeLand) and Susan J. (Craig Walker, DeLand), 15 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. Viewing will be from 6:00-8:00 PM at Lankford Funeral Home in DeLand on Monday, April 16. A service to celebrate Marian's life and share memories with the family and friends will be at Trinity United Methodist Church, N. Clara Ave., DeLand at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, April 17. Internment immediately following the service will be at Oakdale Cemetery with a reception to follow at Trinity Methodist United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a memorial donation to Trinity United Methodist Church in DeLand.
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