Marjorie C. L. Fisher, who helped found and was a past President of NOHA*, passed away on January 16, 2009 from a stroke at age 85.  Mrs. Fisher also served as editor, writer and researcher for NOHA’s newsletter for over 20 years. 

Born Marjorie Smith in Vancouver, Marjorie earned a bachelor's degree from the University of British Columbia. She left Canada to attend the University of California at Berkeley, where she met and married Walter Fisher, a college professor, in 1948. After he refused to sign a loyalty oath during the McCarthy era the couple left Berkeley and moved to Manhattan, Kansas in 1952. The family eventually settled in Evanston in 1967.

Andrew Fisher, Marjorie's son and current NOHA board member explains that Marjorie's passion for nutrition and wellness began in the 1950's, after reading the book "Let's Cook It Right" by Adelle Davis. This was the beginning of her journey into healthy eating and living.

In the late 1970s, Marjorie became active against pesticides and toxic chemicals. Marjorie would buy, cook and eat only organic food and encouraged others to do so.  She installed water filters, solar panels for hot water, and replaced the grass around her house with a native and edible all-organic garden. Marjorie Campaigned for environmental and women's rights candidates and the equal rights amendment.  She was active in the League of Women Voters and participated in environmental organizations including the Talking Farm, the Inter -Religious Sustainability Circle, and Dr. Randolph's food, chemical & environmental sensitivity support group.  Marjorie was founder and first Chair of the Green Sanctuary Committee at the Unitarian Church of Evanston. In 2003, she received the Life-Time Achievement award from the national organization, Beyond Pesticides and in 2008 the Leadership in Sustainability Award from the Network for Evanston's Future.  At age 83, she made her first television appearance being interviewed about pesticides and toxic chemical build-up in Lake Michigan.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am, on May 9th, 2009, at the Unitarian Church of Evanston, 1330 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL
60201.

*The American Nutrition Association was formerly known as the Nutrition for Optimal Health Association [NOHA].