Leatrice "Lea" Fischer

Born in Sydney, Maine on July 19, 1937, Lea was a graduate of Cony High School in Augusta, Maine; Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts; Boston University, and; the University of Michigan. She moved to Michigan to work as a youth leader at the newly established University Reformed Church in Ann Arbor, where she met her husband, Ted Fischer. Lea and Ted were married in Ann Arbor in 1969 and moved to Webster Township, Michigan in 1975, where they raised their two children, Ellen and Tim. Lea worked as a full-time homemaker for several years, and then returned to graduate school, earning her Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan in 1984. She practiced social work privately in Ann Arbor and Dexter, and was the founding social worker of Arbor Hospice. She went on to become the Director of Family Services for the organization, and found great joy and meaning in her work there.

Lea was a serious athlete on the field hockey pitch in her youth and continued to play softball and coach her son’s sports teams for many years, always stepping in when a coach or organizer was needed. She was a lifelong sports-aficionado and enjoyed watching University of Michigan basketball with her husband and took great pride in her grandchildren’s sporting accomplishments.

Lea loved traveling and experiencing new places. She and Ted canoed through the Boundary Waters, visited her children and grandchildren in various places around the country, and took her family on a memorable Christmas vacation to Saba in the Caribbean. She loved hosting international students and academics, learning about their cultures and sharing hers. Lea had a special fondness for the coast of Maine, where she spent her youth.

Lea was an active member of Webster Church and found great joy in its services, fellowship, and activities. She was a reliable hand at the Webster Fall Festival, working the always-disheveled barn rummage sale, making and serving sides at the pig roast, and was a strong competitor at the husband-calling contest (at least if there were such a thing, she would have been). Above all, she loved to deepen her friendships and make new ones; connect with people and learn their stories; help them along their life’s path.

Lea was an incredible mother, devoting so much of her life to raising and then continuing to be involved in the lives of her children as they grew into adulthood. She was always Ellen’s and Tim’s biggest fan and strongest supporter. She loved talking with her seven grandchildren and hearing their stories and perspectives. She was proud of and impressed by their activities and accomplishments at each level of their development. As she got older and her health began to fail, seeing her grandchildren and hearing about all of their lives brought bright spots of joy to her days.

As Lea’s friends and family are well aware, her sense of humor was legendary–and edged into the “mischievous” category more often than not. Many stories of Lea’s interactions with others include fond memories of laughter and hilarity. For every memory of fun and laughter shared in Lea’s company, there is a story of her great empathy and love for others. For clients, patients, friends, and family, she has ever used her training and her talents to be a sounding board, a wise counselor, a trusted advisor, and a loving, compassionate listener.

Lea is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Ted Fischer; her daughter Ellen Fischer and daughter-in-law Monica Asis-Fischer, and grandchildren Mulu, Malik, and Sanaya Fischer of Ann Arbor; her son Timothy Fischer and daughter-in-law Tara Fischer, grandchildren Eva, Abraham, Annika, and Emma of Mason; brother Orrin Blaisdell of Franklin, Massachusetts; niece Susan Blaisdell and family (Sarah Harrison, Daniel Jackson); brother-in-law Roy Fischer and nephew Caleb (Cathy) Fischer; nieces and nephews David Blaisdell and family, Joseph Blaisdell and family, Jonathan Blaisdell, and Melanie Blaisdell and family; brothers and sisters-in-law Richard and Marj Fischer and family, Eric and Carolyn Fischer and family; and numerous dear friends, both near and far, who enriched her life so meaningfully.

A gathering of family & friends for Lea will be held Friday, July 22, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Webster United Church of Christ, 5484 Webster Church Rd, Dexter, MI.

A gathering of family & friends will occur Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Webster United Church of Christ, 5484 Webster Church Rd, Dexter, MI. The funeral service will occur Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 11:00 AM with the burial of Lea's cremated remains immediately after at Webster Church Cemetery.

A luncheon will be held at Webster Township Hall, 5665 Webster Church Rd, Dexter, MI following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Lea's memory may be made to Arbor Hospice, https://www.arborhospice.org/donate/donation-form/; and Webster United Church of Christ, https://www.websterchurch.org/give.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hosmermuehlig.com for the Fischer family.