Jean Fischer

July 7, 1946 -

May 16, 2020

Jean Fischer

She Lived for Us

Jean Fischer, born Marcella Jean to Elwood and Grace Nurse, entered the world on July 7, 1946, in the Territory of Alaska, prior to statehood, at Providence Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska. Her childhood was spent with her parents and sister Carol in Anchorage.

She stepped peacefully into glory on May 16, 2020, at home in Sherwood, Ore.

In her teen years, Jean won the Pillsbury Bake-Off for the State of Alaska in her age bracket and her family-famous orange oatmeal chews are now baked by her grandsons. She graduated from West Anchorage High School the year of the catastrophic Alaska earthquake in 1964. Jean earned her Bachelor of Education from Western Washington College in 1968. In 1968, she married classmate Bob Gillam of Anchorage, and in the ensuing decade had her two children Robert Arthur Gillam (1972) and Victoria Ann Gillam (1973).

In May 1978, she achieved a Master of Education from the University of Alaska.

Jean was an admired advocate for children, leader and friend to many in her 26-year career with Portland Public Schools, where she served in special education.

It was Jean's joy to live in Sherwood, Ore., next door to her daughter and two of her grandsons from 2008-2020 and share daily life and celebrations together.

Jean has gone ahead of her devoted husband, Bud; and their two children: her son, Rob Gillam and his wife Stacia and grandsons Benjamin and Nicholas of Anchorage; as well as her daughter, Vicki Norris and her husband Trevor and grandsons Nash and Brock of Sherwood. She is also survived by her dear sister, Carol Armstrong (Ralph) of Sacramento, Calif., and family; and her sister-in-love, Kathy Zook of Portland, Ore. She is likely enjoying Earl Grey tea with her beloved mother Grace Nurse in a heavenly teahouse.

In lieu of flowers or contributions, the family requests that you spend time with those you love and live life with gratitude, forgiveness, and with no regrets.