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The Family’s Reflection
On Marjorie Fisher’s
Grace And Gratitude
M
Courtesy the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
other, grandmother
work were donors and doers. And all
and great-grandmother,
deserved the gratitude for allowing
Marjorie loved us and loved others into their hearts.
her “work.” She didn’t
Those families who
think of it as work.
face the daily chal-
One might have
lenges of survival,
called it philanthro-
those who dedicate
py. But for her, it was
their lives and careers
a way of life — filled
to reducing those
with joy and focused
challenges, those who
on justice.
give their time or
A daily effort she
bring ideas and expe-
treated as a near
rience to the effort,
full-time calling …
those who change laws
vigorous, connected,
to make them more
graceful and grateful.
just and those who
“Ask what they
give resources to fuel
need — and then
the work.
Marjorie and Max Fisher
listen closely,” she
Marjorie would
would say.
want us to thank you.
She deeply honored
Thank you for all
the role and perspec-
you have done and will
tive of people inside the issues she
do to make this place — however we
hoped to face. She taught us all the
define this place — a better place.
importance of working with people,
She would want us to thank you
not on them.
for allowing her into your lives, your
One afternoon, while reading
hearts.
through thank-you notes she received
And, although we don’t think we
for gifts she had made, she paused.
can speak for all of you — we’re going
The note could have been from a
to try. When she said she could never
young person whose summer job she
give enough — today, we say on your
supported in Detroit or whose col-
behalf, “She gave enough! She gave
lege tuition she was covering in Palm
enough of herself and her heart.”
Beach County. A child who received
We, her family and loved ones,
dental care from the mobile unit she
would say she was always more than
founded in West Palm Beach or an
enough!
artist she admired and supported. An
‘RESPECT AND COMPASSION’
HIV/AIDS researcher she helped or
So, what would she want us to do?
the Federation she cared for. One of
She once said, “Every day, I want
the early childhood educators from the
you to wake up and go to the mirror
Brightmoor neighborhood in Detroit
and say ‘I love you, and I am proud of
or someone from the food bank.
you’ … now, what are you proud of?
A note like the one Rev. Larry
Go out there and do something you
Simmons, executive director of the
can be proud of — every day.”
Brightmoor Alliance, sent to the com-
She would want us to love each
munity just after her death saying, “As
other, treat each other with respect
Brightmoor continues to soar upward,
and compassion. She would want us
we rise upon the gentle breath of Mrs.
to fill up our hearts and get out there
Marjorie Fisher, who always had our
backs and never tried to seize the lead.” and do something we can all be proud
of — serve, listen, advocate, teach,
It could have been the note you
mentor, give.
wrote.
Let’s continue to do the work she
As she put the note down, she said,
loved so much — and that so many in
“I will never be able to give enough
our community dedicate their lives to
to make up for how grateful I am for
each and every day — so we can all
these families who have allowed me
be proud of each other and our com-
into their lives.”
munity.
‘TRUE MEANING OF GIVING’
Love,
Marjorie taught us the true meaning
The Fisher Family
of giving. She felt all involved in this
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THE
PERLMAN
MUSIC
PROGRAM
Toby and Itzhak Perlman
and the students, faculty and staff
of The Perlman Music Program
celebrate the memory of
Marjorie S. Fisher.
Her kindness and generosity
was life-changing for so many
and she was committed
to a bright future for classical music.
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30 June 23 • 2016