Gail Feimster Fisher

We are grieved to announce the passing of Gail Feimster Fisher, 96, after a brief illness. She was born Doris Gail Feimster in 1928 in Washington, DC. A member of the Greatest Generation, she lived through the Great Depression and World War II. She attended the University of Maryland at a time when few women pursued higher education, and was the only woman on the school rifle team. On a team of World War II veterans, she was judged the best shot; and seventy years later would instruct her granddaughters on how to keep a steady hand.

The love of her life was Eugene Fisher, a young man from the rough side of Mt. Rainier, Maryland, and himself a veteran and volunteer firefighter. Gene and Gail married in 1950 and enjoyed a loving marriage. With their two sons, Larry and Rob, they built a house in La Plata, Maryland on a tobacco farm. Gene died young, in 1970, and Gail mourned him for fifty-five years. She raised her teenage sons on her own, encouraged them to follow their passions and attend graduate school, and herself earned a PhD in statistical epidemiology from the University of North Carolina.

She dedicated four decades of her life to public service, rising to the top ranks of the HHS (Senior Executive Service) and was responsible for systematizing health data across the nation. She traveled the world, helping developing nations improve their public health systems, working extensively in Pakistan.

She enjoyed twenty-seven fruitful years of retirement, filling them with gardening; caring for cats, dogs, and grandchildren; and (despite being a lifelong registered Democrat) keeping up with the world by watching Fox News. We feel sure she and Gene are busy catching up: “Gail, I have been waiting for you for fifty-five years.” “Well, I had a lot to get done first.”

Gail was a remarkably generous, honest, and loving soul. In her final years, she often said that she lived for her sons and grandchildren. Clear-minded and sharp to the end, she shared her wisdom with all who asked (and some who didn’t): “Life won’t get any easier, but you will get stronger.” We all miss her dearly, and will work to make her proud.

She is survived by her son Laurence Fisher and daughter-in-law Deborah Fisher; son Robert Fisher and daughter-in-law Lisa Fisher; granddaughters Kriston Wiltsey, Sarah Bowling, Roxanne Barnea, Katherine Fisher, Samantha Fisher, and Grace Fisher; and great-grandchildren David Collier, Joshua Wiltsey, Lucas Wiltsey, and Elizabeth Wiltsey.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, July 16 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church at 8855 Chapel Point Road, beginning at 9 am. It will be followed by the funeral mass beginning at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Ignatius Church or the Bel Alton Volunteer Fire Department.
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