Patricia M. Fisher, 84 of Palmer Twp., PA passed away peacefully Friday, September 8, 2023 at her home, surrounded by her family and friends. Coach Fisher was born in Easton, PA on September 17, 1938. She graduated from Easton Area High School in 1956 and received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from East Stroudsburg University. Pat was employed as a physical education and health teacher at Easton Area High School where she coached field hockey, basketball, and softball. In 1979, Pat left EAHS and began her career as a collegiate coach at Lafayette College in 1980. She was the Head Women’s Basketball Coach from 1980-2001, Head Women’s Softball Coach, Assistant Athletic Director, and Senior Women’s Administrator before she retired. Upon retirement, Pat was elected to serve on the Easton Area School District Board of Education. Pat is a member of the Athletics Hall of Fame at Easton Area High School, East Stroudsburg University, and Lafayette College. Everywhere she worked, she excelled and had an impact.
Pat was predeceased by her parents Harrison “Bud” and Mae Fisher, as well as her brother, Bernard F. Fisher and her sister and partner-in-crime, Sharon Helm. She is survived by her brother, Tom Fisher, and his wife, Linda. One of her favorite jobs was as an aunt and great-aunt to her nieces and nephews, none of whom ever missed a movie in the theater when she was at home in between away games: Harrison “Bud” Kohler, and his wife Maureen; JoMarie (Kohler) Taff, and her husband Randy; Colleen (Smith) Carfara, and her husband Tony; Cortney Fisher, Tiffany (Fisher) Zakszeski, and her husband Mike; Brittany Fisher, and her partner Shakeem Williams. Her great-nieces and nephews include Cory Taff, his wife Sara, and their three children, Casen, Quinn, and Lincoln; Meghan (Kohler) Viscomi, and her husband Peter; Dustin Taff, his wife Amy, and their son Wyatt; Andrew Kohler; Zach Carfara; Garrett Taff, his wife Amber and their daughter Emma; Morgan (Carfara) Grieser, and her husband Logan; Alexandria Zakszeski; Brady Zakszeski; Jaxon Boozer; and Troy Williams. She is also survived by more friends and former players than we can count – most of whom became her family as well – but notably her best friend and fellow coach of more than 50 years, Annette Lynch.
Mass will be held 11 AM Thursday (Sept. 14) at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, 4049 Hartley Ave., Easton, PA with a calling period from 5 to 7 PM Wednesday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton and 10 to 11 AM Thursday in the Church. Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Cancer Support Community of the Greater Lehigh Valley at www.cancersupportglv.org or the Maroon Club of Lafayette College at www.goleopards.com or via check with the memo line indicating that the donation should be directed to Women’s Basketball. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Renee LoPrete Evans
September 9, 2023 at 8:31 pm
To Miss Fisher’s Family,
Miss Fisher influenced so many student athletes over her iconic career at EAHS. I was blessed to play for Miss Fisher (1971-74) in basketball and softball, and we won the first ever District XI softball title in 1973…and then Miss Fisher would leave EAHS to begin her illustrious coaching career at Lafayette. Miss Fisher inspired me in my own teaching and coaching career at Northern Lehigh. Her fair but firm approach definitely worked for us, and her athletes became her family and she made great connections with her student/athletes. Her legacy lives on in her many former players who had the greatest respect for such a beautiful soul. May Miss Fisher rest in peace and may her family and friends cherish their memories of her.
Renee LoPrete Evans
Class of 1974
Denise Kowitz
September 10, 2023 at 7:05 am
Simply an Easton legend! Rest in Peace Coach Fisher…I have many fond memories of Miss Fisher at EAHS. Condolences to her family.
Kathy DeRenzis Prendergast
September 10, 2023 at 9:21 am
Miss Fisher was a great inspiration to many young women competing in sports at EAHS as well as Lafayette. I remember her warm smile and patience. Kathy Prendergast Class of 66 EAHS
Cathy (Hughes) Happel
September 10, 2023 at 1:07 pm
I have only the fondest of memories of Coach Fisher. From my days at Vandeveer playground (where she was my playground leader) to my years playing basketball, field hockey, and softball for her at Easton High School. She had a very positive influence on my life. I will remember her with much respect and admiration always. My deepest sympathy to her family. Cathy (Hughes) Happel
Dr Diane McCollum Thompson
September 10, 2023 at 1:54 pm
Pat Fisher will always have her own legacy of inclusion in so Many Organizations !
As My coach and Family Member of the McCollum Family she played so many parts in all our lives. I remember her always supporting all of us as Coaches, Students, and Friends
. Her Family was always her Life! All the children ere never neglected as she prepared them for all the Swimming Lessons and any Support at what ever came down the pike including all the games and activities.
She was not only a great Player on the Field in International Hockey and Coach of all Sports ,but a Promoter of All in Education and Endeavors that required her guidance for Women Sports. Quiet an persuasive in all she shared , but Mighty in all her Determination for All To Succeed.
I Truly will miss her and all her SHARING WITH ME SINCE EASTON HIGH SCHOOL AS A STUDENT FROM 1961 AND TEACHER AT EASTON HIGH SCHOOL AND SUPPORT AT EAST STOUDSBURG UNIVERSITY AND LEHIGH UNIVERSITY..
HOPE she keeps up the Vanilla Frappes and the Bubble Gum that we shared for the last few months as she loved it all and I loved her enthusiasm when we visited together.
My Condolence to All that knew her and stood by her in her times of Life and Family
Diane
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Leonard Buscemi
September 10, 2023 at 2:15 pm
The EHS Class of 1956 will be missing Pat at all our functions. She was a great addition to our many togethers and reunions. RTP Pat
Genya Pantuso
September 11, 2023 at 11:35 am
My sincere condolences. Another icon has left the field hockey world.
Holly Hughes
September 11, 2023 at 4:46 pm
I graduated from EHS in 1958 and was privileged to play with Pat on the basketball team my Sophomore year. Her sister Sharon and I were part of the team for three years.
Pat was an inspiration to us all then and continued that spirit for decades to all who knew her! A woman of many talents throughout her illustrious career.
My sincere condolences to family members.
Memory Eternal!
John Deutsch
September 13, 2023 at 3:20 pm
On behalf of the Deutsch Family, we offer our deepest sympathy for the Fisher family.
Pat was a beacon for women sports in the Lehighvalley area for a long time. From being a health and physical education teacher, field hockey, basketball, and softball coach, Assistant Athletic Director, and Senior Women’s Administrator to name a few.
Pat was an inspiration to many young women competing in sports and opened up many doors for women sports.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Fisher family for a highly decorated life that Pat has led and being a trailblazer for the community!
Resperctfully,
John Deutsch
Joann Ciavarella
September 14, 2023 at 8:42 am
As I read Miss Fisher’s obituary, I reflect back on high school days of her preparing us not for only for the sport we played but for our lives. She made us work hard, built confidence and set our bar high. We always had a winning attitude and losing was not an option. At the time I was too young to realize her preparation for us, but that winning attitude and confidence has always stayed with me. She was a great coach and mentor. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and all the students her life touched.
Liz Frey Calhoun
September 14, 2023 at 1:28 pm
Sad to hear the news that Pat has passed on. This closes the end of an era for Easton and Lafayette women’s sports. While I was at Lafayette in the early 80’s “Fish”, through her unique style of toughness, pushed her athletes, resulting in successful teams that went on to win championships. She inspired us to be better athletes, competitors and students and most of all people. Her legacy will live on in all of us who were privileged to have her as our coach. My sympathy’s to her family and friends.
Anne (Amato) Marina
September 15, 2023 at 9:16 pm
I am a graduate of EHS class of 1956. I graduated with Pat and have many fond memories of her. We had three good years of playing basketball together for the Easton High girls basketball team. Wow, what a great player she was! My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.