Virginia B. Fischer

Virginia Fischer, age 90, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 in St. Johns, Michigan. She was born August 8, 1925 in Flint, Michigan to Henry and Nancy (Bullard) Hicks. Virginia was a proud graduate of Central Michigan University, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Math and Science and was a member of the National Mathematics Fraternity. She volunteered for many organizations, served as a Girl Scout Leader, a Stephens Minister, and was the Past President of the Okemos Community Church Woman’s Society.

Virginia was a highly regarded Braille Transcriber: beginning in 1979 with her certification, she transcribed many math publications. (including the MEAP Math tests), served on the Board of Directors of the MATVI, was an instructor of the Nemeth Code and Raised Line Drawings, and worked with the MSU Office of Handicapper Affairs. She was recognized by LM/LBPH as the Volunteer Braillist of the Year in 1983 and by the National Braille Association in 1995 for over 7,000 hours of volunteer transcribing. She was featured in both Guideposts Magazine and The Towne Courier in 1983 for her work, the Lansing City Magazine in 1990, and in the Guideposts book Turning Needs into Deeds in 1995. Virginia also enjoyed reading, working crossword puzzles, was a lifelong swimmer and certified rescuer, and loved her cats and bird watching.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roland L. Fischer, and her parents.

She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Nancy (Rob Ruiz) Fischer, Carol (John) Chvojka, and Linda (Mike Simonds) Fischer; and her grandson, Tyler Shelton.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 2:00pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Glendale Cemetery in Okemos.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Virginia’s honor to the National Braille Association, 95 Allens Creek Rd., Suite 202, Rochester, NY 14618 or the Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 W. Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.greastlansing.com.