Marsha Ann Fischer

Marsha Ann Fischer (née Colwill), age 88, of Chesterland, Ohio, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2024, surrounded by her adoring family. Marsha was preceded in death by her loving husband of over 57 years, Henry “Hank” Blanchard Fischer. Marsha was the mother of three children and the grandmother of three, and was a gifted teacher, homemaker, gardener, and entrepreneur. Marsha was a vibrant, selfless, and beautiful woman who was deeply devoted to God, her family, and her friends. Her welcoming smile and infectious laughter brought joy to all who knew her.

Marsha grew up in Euclid, Ohio, the youngest of two children. A lifelong Ohio State Buckeyes fan, after graduating from Euclid High School, she went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in education from The Ohio State University. Marsha thrived at Ohio State, immersing herself in academic and student life. She served as president of her sorority, as a student senator, and as a board member of Block “O,” the Ohio Education Association, and OSPA, among many other leadership roles and part-time jobs.

Marsha taught second and third grade classrooms in the Euclid City School District from 1957 to 1966 while earning her master’s degree in education from Western Reserve University in 1961. Marsha was passionate about her students and dedicated to her profession through countless leadership roles. Marsha was named as a Jennings Scholar in 1964 and received many other recognitions as an outstanding teacher.

Marsha and Henry were married at the Old Stone Church in downtown Cleveland, Ohio on August 21, 1965, a beautiful sunny day made even more special by the attendance of Marsha’s entire third-grade class. As the newlyweds left the Church, they were engulfed by her wildly cheering students flanking their convertible as they drove off. Marsha left a legacy of dedication and love for her students as she went on to start her next chapter as a mother the following year.

Marsha was a devoted and endlessly creative mother. She crafted exciting projects and activities for her children, took them on outings to explore nature, history, and the arts, and planned unforgettable family vacations. She lent her artistic talents to school plays, designed games and decorations for festivals, and always found ways to make learning fun.

As a homemaker, Marsha had an extraordinary eye for design. She effortlessly transformed spaces, tackling redecorating projects with skill and enthusiasm. From painting and wallpapering to sewing drapes and custom-framing artwork, she made every detail of the family home feel warm and beautiful.

Once her children were in school, Marsha returned to education as a substitute teacher in Euclid and Mayfield, eventually retiring in 1998. But long before retiring, she had already embarked on her next adventure—real estate.

A natural-born entrepreneur with incredible business acumen, Marsha turned her home improvement talents into a thriving business of buying, rehabbing, and managing single family residential properties. She hired tradesmen for skilled labor while rolling up her sleeves alongside them doing everything from painting and wallpapering to even shoveling snow, while Henry provided his legal skills to draft and review purchase agreements, leases, etc. By the time of her passing, Marsha had successfully rehabbed eighteen homes and was still actively managing her business while keeping an eye on the market for her next opportunity.

No matter how hard Marsha worked on any project, you would always find her without a single hair out of place, perfectly applied pink lipstick and her favorite AM radio talk shows playing in the background. And no matter how busy she was, she would cheerfully greet you with her warm smile and stop to turn all her attention to you.

Marsha was simply extraordinary. She embodied gratitude, faith, grace, and generosity, always giving her all and finding ways to serve others. She was a loving mother, a dedicated friend, and an inspiration to all who knew her. Her memory will forever be cherished, and her legacy will live on in all the lives she touched.

Marsha is survived by her three children, Margaret "Peggy" Jones (Don), William "Bill" Henry Fischer (Christine) and Julie A. Taft (Peter) and three adoring grandchildren, Amanda Joy Burton, Emma Belle Fischer and Simon Henry Fischer. Marsha was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Cushing Colwill and Dorothy Margeurite (Miles) Colwill, her brother, Bob Colwill, his spouse Jean Colwill and former spouse, Dorothy E. Colwill.

Friends and family are welcome to attend a service on June 21, 2025, at 11:00 am at Christ Presbyterian Church 12419 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland, Ohio, followed by a reception to celebrate the beautiful life that she lived. Guests are encouraged to wear bright colors and floral prints. The family requests that in lieu of flowers that contributions be made to The City Mission or the Salvation Army.