Mary M Fish

Mary leaves behind a loved and devoted family; son, Jason; daughters Jill and Lynn; grandchildren, Amber, John, and Mary; great grandson, Asher, and the “little people”, Molly and Bea, to reunite with her husband, Donald, her Uncle Joe, and her brother Jimmy.

After, receiving her Ph.D in Economics, she joined the faculty at the University of Alabama in 1966, breaking the glass ceiling for women faculty in Alabama’s prestigious business college. Beginning as only one of two female faculty members, she blazed the trail for countless other female, and male, rising faculty, community, and business leaders. She was known as a tough, but fair, instructor and rapid Alabama football fan, which she maintained to the end of her days. In 1975, she traveled to West Africa as a Fulbright Senior Lecturer at the University of Liberia. She then returned to West Africa for another year, working for the World Bank as a researcher and advisor to the Gambian government in economically advancing their tourism trade. In 1995, she completed her second Fulbright scholarship, this time in Taiwan. After her formal retirement from the University of Alabama in 1999, she continued to teach economics for three years at Landegg International University in Lake Constance, Switzerland.

As a member of the Baha’i Faith, she, personally and professionally, constantly challenged and crusaded against the issues of prejudice and inequality and through her words and actions taught all those around her that every life matters and has value.

She loved to travel to see the diverse and beautiful cultural experiences throughout the world. Tokens and stories of Africa, China, India, Europe, Eastern Europe, and South America all found a place in her home.

Her family will miss her presence as their pivot point and know that her desire to ascend to the joy and beauty of the next life means she is already busy taking up her new mantle and watching over all of us.