On May 20th, 2022, at 1:35 a.m., a beautiful heart stopped beating. Her son kept vigil as the smell of the Mango Tangerine candle filled her room. The room’s only light was that of the candle, and a small ray of light shining from beneath her bathroom doorway. The sounds of a violins’ rendition of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ played softly in the background. Her son held her tight as she let go, free of the ties, that bound her to this Earth. She fought hard in her battles and won her freedom. She did it her way with grace and dignity. It is hard to put into words how much she will be missed. Her presence, sense of humor and the sound of her laughter is fading, but she will live on in our hearts and memories.
B. Verlene Workman Fisher was born on June 6, 1926 in Republic City, NE.
In 1944 she graduated from Pasco High School in Pasco, WA and in July 1946, she married Daniel A Fisher at the Richland Lutheran Church.
As a young woman she worked in a potato chip factory, a sandwich shop and an ice cream parlor. She also worked as a key punch operator and Head of Accounts Payable for the US Navy and Atomic Energy Commission at the Hanford Washington Facility. She spent the balance of her adult life in Oakesdale, WA as a hard working farmer’s wife, loving mother and grandmother. She moved to Spokane Valley in August of 2007.
Verlene was an avid reader. She would lose track of time, as she would read her stacks of mystery novels well into the wee hours of the morning. She loved oil painting, flower gardening, and each year she spent many hours planning her beautiful gardens. Her love of antiques would take us to the Grandmother’s Antique Store in Colfax. Every time we passed through Colfax, it was always a MUST to have lunch at Eddie’s Chinese Restaurant! Verlene was a member of The Ladies of the Shrine, The Jay-Cee Club and enjoyed watching the WSU Cougars play football. The past 15 years of her life were spent at Orchard Crest Retirement Community, where she enjoyed Bridge and Pinochle, jigsaw puzzles, movies, tea and cookies, and chatting with friends at the OC Cafe’. She spent much of her time there helping other residents. She was a friend to everyone, including the staff, to which she would hand out treats to her favorites. She was known for her quick wit, incredible sense of humor and blunt honesty. Over those 15 years she made and lost many, many friends. She would always say, ‘these golden years, really are not that golden’.
Verlene is survived by her three children, Loren L. Fisher (Val), of Farmington, WA, Alan E. Fisher (Frankie), Spokane Valley, WA and Dana K. Fisher Melroy (Greg), Yakima, WA; and one brother, Ben S. Workman. She had eight Grandchildren Hannie Sue Fisher, Heather Marshall, Cora Mae Fisher, Bree Spencer, Tika Melroy, Zachary Taylor, Samuel Taylor and Joseph Taylor. She had six Great-Grandchildren Theryn and Ember Taylor, Gage and Leland Fischer, Josie June and Charlotte Taylor.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin F. and Ethel Mae Tibbles Workman, her husband Daniel A Fisher in 1998; her siblings, Joe G Workman, Mayo L Poquette and Iva-Lee Emhausen.
She will be soooo missed by all who knew and loved her. Her lifelong dream of ‘flying’ has finally come true. She is “in the arms of the Angels ... may you find, some comfort there”
Hennessy Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements; Memorial services are pending due to COVID restrictions at Orchard Crest Retirement Community. To share memories of Verlene and leave condolences for the family, please visit Verlene's Tribute Wall.