Local News

‘Matriarch of Warren’ mourned

Longtime civic and cultural leader in city dies at 94

WARREN -- Whenever something needed to get done in the city, people say that long-time Warren resident Kay Fisher was the one to call to make things happen.

Several friends shared memories of the hard work and many local projects that were done with Fisher's help. She died recently at age 94.

While she lived most of her life in Warren, in the past year she had been with family in Montana, friends said.

Liz Clark of Warren was among those who remembered Fisher for her dedicated service to the community and involvement with many local organizations, including the Harriet Taylor Upton Association, Historic Perkins Homestead Neighborhood Association and Trumbull Town Hall.

"I have so many good memories of Kay. We did everything together. She was the one who always got me involved in different projects and events," Clark said.

Clark said she and Fisher traveled together to many places, including to Europe for a D-Day anniversary of the June 1944 event.

"We always had a great time together. We spent three weeks in Europe together and had a great time learning about D-Day and other history," Clark said.

Clark said it was Fisher who got her involved with the Harriet Taylor Upton House and the fourth-grade student tours.

"She would take the children on a tour of the cemetery and I would take them on tours of city hall and the Upton House. We did the tours for 28 years," she said.

After Clark retired as a school teacher, Fisher recruited her for many groups and events, including the Trumbull Town Hall lecture series.

"She realized I had more free time after I retired… We have been friends all our lives. I have so many stories and memories of her. She was always a Warren girl and did so much for the city," Clark said.

Clark said she remembers when Fisher took a trip to Antarctica and when she came back, she told people about her experience, including seeing the penguins.

"She did so much in her life," she said.

Clark said Fisher did not like boats, so whenever they went somewhere they had to travel by other means either car, bus or plane.

She said once Fisher was riding her bike in Perkins Park and a car came close to her and she hit a tree and hurt her back.

"We went to Hillsdale College the next day and she was still in some pain so I walked her through a crowd of people to make sure no one bumped her or touched her back. She was right behind me and then I turned around and she was gone," she said.

Clark said she was afraid of finding Fisher on the floor somewhere but instead Fisher saw a man with an Ohio State University button on and went over to speak to him.

"I was so worried I lost her and here she was talking to some man," Clark said.

Jim Valesky of Warren, who was Fisher's neighbor, said she was "the matriarch of the city" and was always involved with some project.

"She and I were neighbors when we moved here in 2003. Kay was always in the forefront of making things happen, She knew her way around city hall and would work with all the mayors." Valesky said.

Valesky said Fisher was one of the founding members of the Historic Perkins Homestead Neighborhood Association and also of the Warren Heritage Center.

He said Fisher was involved in getting the pagoda restored behind city hall, the pillars at the Kinsman House and restoration of the Woods House on Mahoning Avenue.

"She would often say 'Fix it and Move On.' No one ever said no to her. If she came to you with a project, you knew it was a good one. She was an amazing woman who did all she could and never asked for anything in return. Our neighborhood is a much better place because of Kay."

Carol Olsen of the Harriet Taylor Upton Association said Fisher was among her best friends.

"Kay was very much a lady and a very elegant person. She was always willing to help and mentor others and help in whatever way she could. She took the time to help and make sure things got done. If something needed done, she didn't ask permission she just went and got it done," Olsen said.

Olsen said she remembers Fisher had a bucket list of things she wanted to do and get done in her lifetime and she spent a lot of time working on that list including traveling to Antarctica.

She said Fisher and her husband, Gordon, worked on the list and after he died she continued working on it.

"Kay is unforgettable. I will miss her," said Olsen.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com