Kitty Fisher

She was born on May 12th, in Bessemer, Michigan to the late Catherine (Pudge) and Reuben Johnson.

After graduating from Northern Michigan University, she began her teaching career in a one room schoolhouse in Sands Township and retired from teaching English at Gwinn High School 31 years later. Whether working or enjoying her retirement, her primary focus was on her husband Bob and her two children, Max Owen of Marquette and Sadie Owen of Traverse City.

Kitty was beloved by young and old and exuded her joy of life to all. Kitty organized pasty making parties from Marquette to Mexico, planned perfect trips from Alaska to Scottsdale, designed a road trip birthday party for her sister, Polly Friend, to the Bessemer Pumpkin Festival. Every year, Bob and Kitty celebrated their origin of engagement at Canyon Falls around a romantic twosome picnic or a picnic with family and friends.Attending an Emigration Conference in Sweden resulted in being hosted to a smorgasbord by her newly found Johnson relatives. While traveling to a Descendants of Dorchester (MA) Workshop she was given a perfectly preserved oil painting of her great grandfather, Reverend Withington, from the occupants of the oldest home in Bethel, Maine. She had a magic touch in doing research, asking the perfect question and getting results. For 22 years, she maintained the resting places of her family and this year had the stones restored to their original state.

Kitty’s joys included living on the quarry, traveling to U.P. waterfalls, skiing, picking the perfect deck flowers, and she cherished getting together with family and her many friends.

Kitty is survived by her husband, Bob, her two children, Max and Sadie, their father, Rick Owen, her brother, Jim Johnson of Columbus, OH, her sister, Polly of Marquette and her many Johnson and Fisher relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Jay Johnson.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Kitty’s name to the Peter White Public Library of Marquette or the Jay W. Johnson Family underwriter support for Public Eye News at WNMU TV of Marquette.

A Memorial Service for Kitty will be held at the Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral Home in Marquette on Saturday, June 8. Kitty was a colorful person so please dress to honor her memory.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM followed by the Service at noon. Please join Kitty’s family at the quarry after the service (map will be provided).

The Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral & Cremation Services is serving the family where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com