Joyce Lee Fisher

On Wednesday, April 5, 2023, our much loved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Joyce Lee Jones Fisher, left us to begin her next journey. Born May 13, 1935, she was the oldest daughter of Oliver Kurtz Jones and Helen Schwabenland Jones. Joyce attended schools in Fresno, graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1952. She maintained many friendships from high school over the years. She attended Fresno State College, graduating with highest honors at age 20 with a B.A. and three teaching credentials. Joyce was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Kappa Delta Pi, and the Tokalon Honor Society. She did graduate work at Fresno State, San Francisco State, and San Jose State. She taught Kindergarten 1955-1957 and then embarked on a 30 year career in Special Education, working with children who had orthopedic, neurologic, and chronic health problems. She was a Program Specialist at Ginsburg School until her retirement in 1993. Joyce was an adjunct faculty member at Fresno Pacific University for 18 years, retiring in 2005. She enjoyed mentoring a number of student teachers and other young colleagues during her career.

Joyce was married on August 13, 1961 to James B. Fisher, a teacher of the blind and visually impaired. In 1965, Jim and Joyce were joined by son, Scot, followed by daughter Erica in 1966. Jim and Joyce shared an unusually close and happy partnership and were an example and inspiration to everyone who knew them.

Jim and Joyce enjoyed quite a bit of traveling during their retirement. Joyce loved being grandmother to Cynda, Zackary, Oliver, and Charlotte. They were always her main retirement activity. She also enjoyed time with her many friends, working on the Tokalon Alumnae Board as Scholarship Chairman and Vice President, reading English mysteries and nonfiction, gardening, folk music, local theater, and baseball, having grown up with a father who was an avid fan and being married to a Giants fan for over 61 years. It was self preservation!

Rarely discouraged, she looked on life optimistically despite many health problems and living with the pain of arthritis for over 40 years. She was grateful for the compassionate and excellent care given her by Dr. Linda Bartell, Dr. Robert Chambers, Dr. Murray Barry, and Dr. Constantine Michas.

Joyce is survived by her husband of 61 years, Jim; daughter Erica; son Scot and his wife, Gina; grandchildren Cynda and Jacob Marrufo, Zackary Fisher, Oliver Johnson, and Charlotte Johnson; great granddaughters Makenna and Karsyn Marrufo; sister Karen Jones Raybeck and brother in law Douglas Raybeck; niece Alethea Raybeck; former daughter in law Kristi Householder Vieyra; nieces and nephews Jerry and Judy Hickey, Kathleen Brower, Peggy Hickey, Ned Harris, Megan Harris and husband Simon Dedman, Jennifer Fickenscher and husband David; many other relatives and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Foodbank, Tree Fresno, or the donor’s favorite charity. A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 15 at 2PM at Holland Park West, 3855 N. Bryan Avenue, Fresno CA 93723.