Marcia Fisher
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Marcia Fisher, 55, passed away in her home on June 9, 2023. A memorial is planned for 11 a.m., Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vermont St., Lawrence, KS. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Clearity Foundation, a leader in the fight against ovarian cancer and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Marcia was born on June 23, 1967, in Wichita, KS and adopted by Marcian and Donna (Rick) Fisher. She was their only child together. Marcia married Aaron Ketchell on November 14th, 1998, in Lawrence, KS. A few years later, they had two beautiful children, Clara, and Gus.
Marcia found greatest joy in her family. She and Aaron were together for nearly three decades. In her he discovered a true companion, a willing adventurer, a boundless blessing. She homeschooled Clara and Gus for many years, allowing them to learn through experiencing their young lives immersed in love and light. Whether at home or away, there was never a moment when they were not at the forefront of her consciousness and the center of her heart. She was a masterful preparer of food, with utmost focus on simplicity and healthfulness. All who knew Marcia also recall her pies, unrivaled in taste and beauty. She loved the outdoors, appreciating nature whether on distant road trips or walks in the neighborhood. Her life was filled with pets, all of whom received the same care and tenderness that she offered every minute of every day to all beings in her home. Marcia surrounded herself with friends, easily forging bonds due to her compassion, kindness, and gracious spirit. And she was so much more than what can be expressed within the limits of mere words.
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.—Mary Oliver, Wild Geese
Forty-five years ago, Marcia called me to ask for my address. She was having a birthday party and wanted to send me an invitation. The only thing I remember about this day was playing Pin the Hair on John Denver, but we must have had fun because for the next 5 years, we were inseparable. Marcia’s dad drove us around in the little white Corolla or his pickup truck to Skate East, Towne East, and the movies at various venues, and as we got older, Marcia drove that little white car. We played summer softball, had sleepovers, went swimming at the Augusta pool, rode Ramona the Morgan horse, went for walks on Pawnee Road where she lived, and suntanned thinking that being sunburned would make us beautiful. Her laugh attacks were legendary and were usually triggered by something not funny unless you were there. If I were to erase her from my life, the foundation of my existence would crumble because so much of my early life was influenced by her friendship. She was my first best friend.
I had many opportunities to reach out to Marcia while in Lawrence over the years, but I never did because I figured she had more important things to do, but now she’s gone and I will never get to have that chance again.
Goodbye, sweet friend.
Dear Aaron , Clara and Gus,
I just found out about Marcia’s passing. I met her at St John on our Christ Renews His Parish retreat in 2011. What a kind , caring, loving beautiful soul she was.
Years later we reconnected at the salon I work at. She always made my day brighter.
May you find peace and healing in your faith and knowing she is in her eternal home watching over you.
She adored the three of you, and was so proud of your accomplishments!
She will make a beautiful Angel and is having a heavenly birthday celebration today.
I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers as you grieve this life changing loss.
Deepest Sympathy and Love, Sue Glatz
I only new Marcia Briefly, but I saw what a kind, gracious, caring soul she was. I am certain she loved well and was well loved. My condolences to the family.
Dear Aaron, Clara and Gus,
I am just now learning of Marcia’s passing and I wanted to reach out and express my sincere condolences. Marcia was one of the most thoughtful, generous and beautiful people I knew and I always felt at peace in her presence. She loved all of you fiercely. Her pies were amazing and we were blessed to have them at our table on several occasions. She will remain a treasured soul and will be missed. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers.
With love,
The Bird Family
Erin, Kevin and Hadley
Dear Dr. Ketchell, Clara, and Gus,
Sending love and care to you from afar. The fleeting interactions that I’ve had with Marcia were enough to know that she was a force of compassion and love. I remember her insisting that I call her Marcia and seeing her in the hallways, lighting up with a smile and wave. Wishing you all peace.
Marcia was the first friendly face I met at St. John, our kids were in school together. I always enjoyed working book fairs and carnivals with her, and she was such a fun and kind person. We used to chat about her house as my mom grew up in it as a kid. Saddened me to see this. Condolences to her family. With all the Love, Camille
When I was a wild kid in the late 70’s, early 80’s Marcia was a grounding force for me in 4-H. She was always quiet and proper and her smile infectious…she was the opposite of me. She looked like my mother (when she was young) and behaved like my older sister, so she had an effect on me in a good way. If she was watching whatever ridiculous thing I was doing I’d settle down, she was sort of a reminder of how I was supposed to be. She had that look of “okay, I’ll put up with you because you make me laugh sometimes”, just like my older sister.
My Uncle Jim Reeves had a horse ranch and knew the Fisher family well and while Marcia and I weren’t that close through high school, she was one of the “old heads” of Andover, just like me. We respectfully got along from our individual camps.
Over the years I had always remained friends with Kurt Brewer and would visit him and his family often in Lawrence. After a chance meeting, Marcia and I stayed in touch, once in a great while having a chat when I would visit Kurt. We lost both of them in the same year and my heart is broken. Marcia remained the sweetest kindest person, and never lost sight of who she was. Just an absolute rock of a person whom I’m grateful to have known.
May nature heal the family…as it was one of the most important things to Marcia. My condolences.