Joyce Fisher

Joyce Josephine Malvania Price Fisher (January 10, 1933 - June 19, 2025) was a woman of wisdom, compassion, and strength. Born in Dallas, Texas to Molly Sowizdrzal Price and David Carlton Price, she spent her early years following her father's career in the U.S. Merchant Marines, living in several cities across the country. Her formative years were rooted in San Jose, California, where she graduated from Campbell High School.

Joyce attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, where she met the love of her life, Don C. Fisher. They married on February 1, 1953, beginning a lifelong partnership grounded in love, resilience, and mutual devotion. When Don was deployed to serve in Okinawa, their first child, Don Jr., was born in El Paso, Texas. They eventually made their home in Phillips, Texas, where Don worked for Phillips Petroleum, and where Joyce lovingly raised three children: Don Jr. (1954), Dana (1956), and Diane (1960). In 1968, the family moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma, which would remain their cherished home for five decades.

A passionate advocate for education, Joyce pursued her own learning while raising a young family-earning an Associate degree from Frank Phillips College in Borger, Texas. Later, with her children grown, she returned to school and earned both Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Oklahoma State University. As an Academic Advisor in the OSU College of Education, she empowered hundreds of students, including her future son-in-law, with wisdom, encouragement, and heartfelt care.

Joyce's legacy of service extended beyond the university. She dedicated herself to the Stillwater community through numerous volunteer roles, including five impactful years as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), where she was honored for her outstanding contributions. She also served with the Stillwater Hospital Auxiliary, American Red Cross, the League of Women Voters, taught conversational English to international students and became an advocate for special education students after one of her grandchildren was born with disabilities.

Joyce loved life, travel and adventure. She frequently flew as co-pilot with Don Sr. in his small plane and even took a MIG fighter jet ride in Colorado. She and Don traveled throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand and her favorite destination was Hawaii. She visited her children in Bulgaria, Kenya, Botswana and South Africa, going on safaris, riding ziplines and experiencing different cultural opportunities. She lived her life with warmth, wit, and unwavering grace. She lifted others with her generosity of spirit and quiet strength. Those who knew her saw a woman who held true to her values of helping others and radiated kindness wherever she went.

She is deeply missed and forever remembered by her beloved family: son Don Fisher Jr., wife Nancy, and daughter Molly (husband Caleb) of Albuquerque, NM; daughter Dana Fisher and her children Jack and Claire (Albuquerque, NM) of San Antonio, TX; and daughter Diane Frank, husband Jon, and daughters Skylar and Lydia (husband Zach) of Bakersfield, CA.

For those wishing to support Joyce's vision of community service, please send your donations to CASA for Kids (casaforkids.com).