Obituary of Mary Imogene Fisher

Mary Imogene Fisher, affectionately known as Jeannie or Grandma Fisher by her family and many friends, was born in Amityville, NY on December 25, 1926. She was the 9th of 12 children born to the late Henry and Elizabeth Collins. Jeannie grew up in Amityville during the depression and began working at an early age as a domestic while helping her family raise their own food (chickens, turkeys, pigs, vegetables and fruits). She enjoyed cooking and trying new recipes, ice skating and roller skating. She graduated from Amityville Memorial High School in 1945, studied cosmetology, and opened her own beauty salon on Albany Avenue and continued working as a domestic. On October 8, 1949 she married the late Benjamin (Ben) Fisher and they had two sons, Leon (predeceased) and Alan. When Jeannie closed her beauty salon she continued the hair business from her home. She worked at General Instruments in Hicksville for 8 years, and then Grumman's for 15 years until her retirement in 1989. She lived in Amityville all of her life and she always had at least two jobs, even after she retired. She was the matriarch of her family and she enriched and strengthened their lives with her love, support, patience and kindness. She served-up generous doses of wisdom and encouragement and she loved to have fun and celebrate life. The wonderful dishes she prepared for family gatherings were true expressions of her love. Mary (Jeannie) Collins Fisher was a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church all of her life. She loved her church and singing in the choir. She believed in the powers of prayer, faith, love and peace. She practiced what she preached—treat others the way you want to be treated. When she shared her love it was for a lifetime. Her love of family and lifetime relationships is evident in the close ties she maintained with former daughters in-law Sharon Addison and Roslyn Morrison (Leon's former wives), and Queen Anne Fisher (Alan's former wife). Jeannie lived a long, rich, full life. She enjoyed traveling and living life to the fullest. She traveled with her sister Virginia Collins (predeceased) and her best friend Margie Smith. Her travels included Alaska, Aruba, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, France, Germany, Guadeloupe, Hawaii, Martinique, Mexico, Panama Canal, Puerto Rico, Spain, US Virgin Islands, Scandinavia, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Lucia. Jeannie touched the lives of many and truly made a difference in this world. She leaves us with wonderful memories that create smiles and comfort. She is survived by her son Alan Fisher and his wife Montressa; her brothers Julius Collins, George (Georgie) Collins and his wife Mirta, Lloyd Collins and his wife Martha; grandchildren Lashawnda Delaney Brown and her husband Anthony, Rodney Fisher, Tyrone Fisher, Gabrielle Owens; five great grandchildren Rason, Kayla, Elijah, Benjamin and Harmonie, and a host of family members and friends