Joan A. Fischer

Joan Agnes Fischer, 98, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2018 in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

She was born in St. Louis, Missouri on August 5, 1920 to Constance and Frank Murray.

Joan married Frank Fischer on June 22, 1946. They moved to Kansas City, Missouri a few years later and settled there. She had various occupations over her lifetime. When her boys were small she did ironing for some neighbors while taking care of children for others. Later on she went to work for the federal government. She first worked for the Internal Revenue Service later moving to the U.S. Department of Agriculture where she worked until her retirement. Although she enjoyed her work and her friends there, she saw the influx of computers and modern office technology and made the decision to retire.

At home she loved flower gardening and she learned to do her own landscaping, building stone patios, flower beds and stone walls. She enjoyed working with her family to remodel and upgrade their home. Eventually she pursued her own woodworking and carpentry projects, once even paneling her living room. She also loved to sew and embroider. She made many of her boys’ clothes (including clown suits for Halloween that were passed down for years) and most of her own clothes. Joan also loved to cook especially baking. She passed on those skills to her sons, teaching them to cook and sew at early ages.

These accomplishments were especially notable because, when a teenager, she was struck by a bus and spent months recuperating before she was able to walk. For the rest of her life her injured leg made the activities she loved more difficult but she never let it stop her from pursuing anything. She even taught herself to drive the family station wagon when Frank was once hospitalized. Despite her many accomplishments Joan was a humble person and would be rolling her eyes at this recitation of her talents.

During retirement she enjoyed meeting with friends to socialize and play games and solve crosswords. She also enjoyed dancing and traveling to regional points of interest.
Joan is survived by her sons, Daniel (Lelia), David (Susan), Michael (Nancy) and Mark (Linda); grandchildren Matthew (Fonda), Christopher (Joy), Zachary, Bret (Miranda), Scott {Stephanie), Benjamin, Joseph (Grace), James and Lindsay; great grandchildren Nicholas, Kellan, Skye and Frank; great great granddaughters Clara, Madison and Savannah. Also surviving is her beloved brother Frank Murray, several nephews, a niece and great friends who loved her and she loved in return. Her family was her life. She always made holidays special but she was the most precious gift of all. We will honor your memory as we miss you always, dear Mom.

The family would also like to express their deep gratitude and love to the angels who came to visit and care for her while she was still in a home setting. Also, the lovely angels at Jefferson Health Care who loved and cared for her. This includes staff and residents. In her final days, we sincerely appreciate the loving care that Three Rivers Hospice gave her. Angels do walk amongst us.

Also, in lieu of flowers, Joan would have loved for donations to be made to the National Audubon Society.

Visitation 10AM, Mass 11AM, Thur., Dec. 20 at St. Regis Catholic Church; luncheon to follow; burial Mt. Olivet.