Obituary: Wanda M. Fish

Wanda M. Fish (1942 – 2017)

Wanda M. Fish, age 75, of Clinton, Michigan passed away on Monday December 25, 2017, at Saline Evangelical Home in hospice care following several years of intensifying illness. Cremation has taken place. Internment with family present will be in Northern California at a later date.

A “Remembrance Gathering” of friends and family to share the joys of Wanda’s life and soften the loss was held Saturday, February 24, 2:30 PM at the Clinton Inn, Green Room, Clinton, Michigan.

Wanda was born on August 5, 1942, in White Pine County, Kimberly, Nevada, to Herschel and LaVerne (Tomlinson) Mathias. The family eventually moved to Riverside, California. After high school Wanda won a scholarship to Pomona College, the founding college of the Claremont College system in Claremont, California.

After college Wanda began service with the U.S. government as an assistant to the Director of the Agency for International Development (AID). Wanda went on to similar positions in the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Treasury. In 1969, Wanda joined the White House’s Communications team, where she oversaw the preparation of letters for the President’s signature. Wanda also assisted in speech writing for department spokespersons as well as White House staff. After her White House service Wanda became the Public Information Officer for the U.S. Water Resources Council (WRC).

In 1981 Wanda moved her family to Michigan to marry Jim Fish and take residence in their Hogan Road house. Upon arrival, Wanda took on the project of restoring and remodeling their very old house.

Wanda then worked on several political campaigns and independent writing projects. Early in 1988, Wanda became Communications Coordinator for Michigan Gas Utilities in Monroe. She was responsible for both internal and external communications. She also became responsible for planning and managing the company’s corporate contributions program, as well as implementing corporate identity programs during reorganizations and ownership changes. After over seven years at MGU, Wanda moved to a Manager of Communications position with the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) order in Monroe.

After her IHM assignment, Wanda began to take on independent projects, including articles for magazines and the Manchester Enterprise. She later assisted Bridgewater Township as recording secretary for the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Wanda was involved in the formation of the Clinton Friends of the Library, whose first meeting was held in the living room of our house on Hogan Road.

Wanda is survived by her second husband, James Fish, of Clinton, her two children Arthur J. Phelan III (Amy Tse), of Willits, California, and Margaret Phelan (Ted Weinbaum), of Ossining, New York, her grandson, Casper, and her sister, Marilyn Brown, of Victoria, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Elizabeth Mathias.

Memorials preferred to Michigan Avian Experince 11691 Sheridan Road Manchester, MI 48158 www.miavianexperience.org or Lenawee Humane Society 705 W. Beecher St. Adrian, MI 49221 www.lenaweehumanesoc.org. Arrangements are under the care of the Clinton Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.handlerfuneralhomes.com.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.