Virginia F. Fischer
DEKALB JUNCTION — Community leader, beloved wife and mother, Virginia Flight Fischer passed away peacefully at the Claxton-Hepburn Hospital on January 30th 2010, surrounded by her family, after a four-week fight with a MRSA staph infection. Well-known as a mover and shaker in town, Virginia exemplified just how much an individual can contribute to the community she loved so much. Virginia used her considerable will and communication skills to spearhead the development of DeKalb Junction's historical museum. She was instrumental in establishing and building the Sunrise Valley Apartments Senior Citizen Housing and, as membership chairman, has organized the Herman-DeKalb Alumni Association's annual reunions for more than 25 years.
In that role, she was proud to help establish an ongoing scholarship given to graduating seniors of the high school. When Virginia wanted something done, very few could stand in her way. Serving as the town's historian for nearly 30 years with additional stints as deputy historian, people around the world knew that a call to Virginia would result in a quick and thorough response of historical and genealogical information. She was also the informal liaison for former DeKalb residents seeking news, contacts or updates from old friends. Her life-long passion for history and genealogy drove her research resulting in an extremely detailed family tree and the discovery and her certification as a Daughter of the American Revolution (DAR) in April, 2005.
The eldest daughter of the late Ray Flight and Kathryn Pray Flight, Virginia was born in Macomb, NY on May 20, 1935. She grew up on her family's dairy farm in DeKalb Junction and after graduating from DeKalb School, she pursued a secretarial and bookkeeping degree from the Watertown School of Commerce.
She began her career as a cost accountant and married Edward Fischer in 1955 at St. Henry's in DeKalb Jct. The couple then began to live and travel throughout Europe and the U.S. during Ed's career in the US Army. Virginia and Ed moved back to DeKalb Jct. in 1969, where they raised their son Steven, and began a volunteer career that would have staggered a lesser person. Virginia served in leadership capacities in the St. Lawrence County Historian's Group, the Senior Citizens Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the United Way, Heart Fund and Cancer Crusade, the PTSA and PTAs of the schools her son attended, the DeKalb Union Cemetery Association, Antique Engine and Craft Show, Ladies Auxiliary of the Fire Department, the DeKalb Community Center, advisory board of DeKalb Sewer District, the DeKalb Junction Grange, the Youth Commission, an Election Inspector, served as a Notary Public for six years, a member of the AM Vets Post 11 Auxiliary, and was a consistent and vocal attendee at the DeKalb Town Board and Hermon-DeKalb Central School Board meetings.
Beloved wife, sister, mother and grandmother, she is survived by her husband Edward Fischer, sister Janet Flight, DeKalb Jct., brother, Lawrence and Pat Flight, DeKalb Jct., brother, David Flight, Heuvelton, and son Steven Fischer, daughter-in-law Pamela, and granddaughter Anna, Seattle, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She will be sorely missed by the many for whom she was a tireless advocate and friend.
Calling hours will be held at the Allen-Denesha Funeral Home in DeKalb Junction on Tuesday Feb. 2nd from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. with services on Wed Feb. 3rd at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, Reverend William Hart officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Heart Association or Rensselaer Falls volunteer fire department and rescue squad.
