Nancy M. Fischer

Nancy Fischer passed away peacefully on May 4^th, 2024 with her family by her side.  Nancy was born in Cleveland and grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio.   She attended Denison University where she graduated with a BA in Social Work.  Nancy then went on to get her masters in Social Work at Smith College.  While on an internship at a hospital in Cincinnati, Nancy met her husband of 51 years, Ron Fischer who was in medical school at the University of Cincinnati.  

Soon after Ron and Nancy’s wedding on November 4, 1961, they were off to Minneapolis, Minnesota for Ron’s surgical residency.  Nancy became a stay at home mom when they adopted their son, Craig and subsequently, daughter, Shannon.  

Due to Ron’s career in trauma surgery and academic medicine, they moved many times over the years but finally settled in Houston, Texas for 37 years.  Ron’s career demanded much time away from home.  Nancy handled the house, multiple moves, and raising children with grace and dedication. With a 3 yr old and 1 yr old, Nancy became the sole parent when Ron was sent to serve in Vietnam as an army surgeon.  As the kids grew, she was always available to review a paper, help with a project, watch a hockey game in below zero temps, and attend a soccer game in 100 degree/90% humidity conditions.

While in Houston, Nancy became a regular volunteer at the elementary school tutoring reading.  Using her social work training, she also volunteered for a non-profit called Family Outreach that provided support and counseling to families suffering from childhood abuse. She eventually took on the role of president of the organization helping many families through very troubled times. Nancy eventually moved to Chagrin Falls to be close to family in the Cleveland area.

Nancy was an avid gardener enjoying the year round tropical climate Houston had to offer.  She also was a supporter of the arts including the symphony, opera, and art museums wherever she lived.  Her other passions were nature, wildlife, and all animals.  She was a pushover for the multiple cats and dogs her kids talked her and Ron into adopting over the years.  

Nancy was the beloved wife of the late Ronald P. Fischer, MD; loving mother of Shannon M. Fischer of Aspen, CO and the late Craig P. Fischer, MD (Valeriia); dear grandmother of Radomir Fischer, Sarah Ware Hawkins (Bryan), and Ryan Ware; dear sister of William Bryan (Betsy) of Chagrin Falls and Betsy Hegyes (Ken) of Shaker Hts., Ohio  

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in her name to the Child and Family Advocates of Cuyahoga County, cfadvocates.org or to the International Fund for Animal Welfare “IFAW”, ifaw.org.  There will be a private family service and an interment at Lake View Cemetery.