Shirley Fisher

Shirley Rhodes Fisher

LAFAYETTE - Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at a 1:00 pm Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lafayette for Shirley Rhodes Fisher, 87, who passed away Saturday, January 3, 2015. Visitation will be held at Delhomme Funeral Home in Lafayette on Friday, January 9, 2015 from 2:00 pm until 9:00 pm. A Rosary will be recited at 6:30 pm Friday evening in the funeral home. Visitation will resume Saturday at 8:00 am until the time of service.

Internment will be at Lafayette Memorial Park Cemetery in Lafayette.

Reverend O. Joseph Breaux, Pastor of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church will conduct funeral services.

Shirley Rhodes Fisher was born in New Orleans on June 23, 1927. She grew up in Houma where she attended Terrebonne High School. Upon graduation in 1943, she attended Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now UL) where she was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority and the SLI Band. She graduated in 1946 with a BA in Lower Elementary Education. She also completed graduate courses at Columbia, LSU and USL, and later received her kindergarten certification at USL.

Mrs. Fisher began her career as an educator in Terrebonne Parish in 1946. In 1950, she married David H. Fisher. The couple moved to Jennings where Shirley was a second grade teacher. In her home, she developed an early childhood education program for three and four year old children, including children with special needs. The Fisher family then moved to Lafayette in 1959.

An innovator in early childhood education, Mrs. Fisher introduced one of Lafayette's first kindergarten programs in her home, growing from seven children in 1961 to over 140 children in 1970. Truly understanding the fundamental impact that early childhood education had on the success of higher levels of learning she added a 2, 3, and 4 year old program. This took place when kindergarten became mandatory in the public school system. The Fishers then moved their pre-school program to its present location on Ridge Road, which was the original Holy Cross Church. The second location of Fisher Early Childhood Development Center was opened in 1998 on E. Farrel Rd. in anticipation of South Lafayette's growth.

In addition to her family and professional life, Mrs. Fisher was a member of Lacus (Louisiana Association of Children Under Six), NACUS (National Association of Children Under Six), The Catholic Daughters, Our Lady of Fatima Parish for many years and present member of Holy Cross Parish. Her hobbies included crocheting and gardening. It was not unusual to find her planting grass at 2am while feeding the wild raccoons at the same time. She never turned down taking in wild baby animals that her children brought home - from flying squirrels to skunks. Her friends and family often enjoyed her delicious punch and meat pies at special functions.

Mrs. Fisher was recognized for her professional achievements in business when she was selected for the Inspirational Teacher of the Year Award by the Lafayette Education Foundation in 2000 and received Women Who Mean Business Award in 2007.

Shirley Fisher is survived by her husband of 68 years, Dr. David H. Fisher, Sr.; two sons, Dr. David H. Fisher, Jr. and his wife Nanette; and Lindsey Fisher and his wife Rosalind, all of Lafayette; five daughters, Susan Fisher of Lafayette, Sharon O'Neill and her husband Shawn of Lafayette, Sandra Fisher of New Orleans, Shelly Romero and her husband Kenneth of Baton Rouge, and Stacy Brown and her husband Mark of Lafayette; one brother, Lindsey Rhodes, Jr. of Brownsville, TX; one sister, Betty Bates of Houma; nineteen grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and close family friend Grace Hebert. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lindsey Rhodes, Sr. and Annabelle Broussard Rhodes of Houma. She is preceded in death by her parents.

Pallbearers will be Ty Zammit, Ian O'Neill, Nicholas Fisher, Harrison Fisher, Jordan Romero and Michael Savoy. Honorary Pallbearers will be Mason Fisher, Evan Fisher, Reed Fisher, Jonathan Fisher and Joseph Romero.

The Fisher Family extends its gratitude for the compassionate care given by Barbara Begnaud and Mrs. Fisher's physicians and caregivers. They would also like to thank the thoughtful support extended by close family friends, adopted cousins and Antigua Drive neighborhood throughout Mrs. Fisher's convalescence. Finally thanks to teachers and staff who continue to carry out her school's mission... "For the Development of a Happy Child."

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Shirley Rhodes Fisher may be contributed to the Lafayette Education Foundation, 128 Demanade Blvd, Suite 105, Lafayette, LA 70503, or any other educational organization.

Personal condolences may be sent to the Fisher family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com.

Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.