Mary Ann Fischer

STOUGHTON / Mary Ann Fischer, a gracious and joyful spirit, always proud of her Irish heritage left this world on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2019. She was born on May 21, 1957, to the late Earl and Marion (Cheadle) Fischer, of South Beloit. Ill. Mary was the youngest of three sisters and the youngest of the cousins and thoroughly enjoyed the status of adored baby. Although she was born with Down Syndrome, she always dreamed big and lived life with joy and enthusiasm. Mary had an idyllic childhood in South Beloit, surrounded by family and friends. She attended Riverview School and worked at Barbara Olson Center of Hope in Rockford. Mary moved to Stoughton in 1998, where Community Living Connections (CLC) whose mission is to assist people to live their best lives, supported her. She worked at the MARC-Stoughton and the Stoughton Visitor’s Center. On her first day in Stoughton, she met Connie, her roommate, and they quickly became best friends. Mary enjoyed fashion, jewelry, dancing, musicals, traveling, spending time with her friends and family and, in her words, “just having fun”. She was the star of the movie, “This is My Sister,” directed by Frank Caruso of Oregon. Mary was a model for the Waisman Center’s All Abilities Fashion Show for many years. She was a member of Holy Mother of Consolation Catholic Church in Oregon. Mary’s sweet, cheerful presence will be deeply missed by her sisters, Kathy (Terry) Dauck of Brooklyn and Nora (Emery) Johnson of Rockton; nephews, Ben (Kate Utphall) Dauck and Chris Dauck; great-nephews, Weston and Archer Dauck; great-niece, Iris Dauck; several cousins; her best friend, Connie Morgan; and her dog, Sammy, who she shared with her sister, Kathy. The caring staff of CLC will also miss Mary, as she thought of them as family and they embraced her with love. She is preceded in death by her parents; and aunts and uncles. The family would like to thank the staff of Agrace HospiceCare, who helped her gently leave this world in her own home, as well as, the staff of MARC-Stoughton, who supported and cared for Mary. To her caregivers at CLC, who constantly worked to help Mary live life to the fullest, please know how much her family appreciates your care and friendship to us and to Mary. Special thanks to CLC staff Mary and Acacia, who spent many extra hours with Mary the last few months. A celebration of Mary’s life will be held at GUNDERSON STOUGHTON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 1358 Hwy. 51 N at Jackson St., Stoughton, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., on Thursday, March 21, 2019. There will be a private graveside service at East Lawn Cemetery in Beloit, where Mary will be laid to rest next to her beloved parents. Thank you to Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care for their care and assistance. Gunderson Stoughton Funeral & Cremation Care 1358 Hwy. 51 N at Jackson St. (608) 873-4590