Lisbeth Dodson Fisher, 96, of Damariscotta, passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 19, just short of her 97th birthday on Feb. 25.
She was born Elizabeth Dodson in Portland, Ore., in 1916 to pioneering parents, William Daniel Boone (“Dod”) Dodson and Besse Ellen Krum. She graduated with her B.A. from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. in 1943.
Her love of life and grand sense of adventure took her as a student to Japan and then to Austria where she studied voice lessons and German in Vienna, and where she eventually, with her siblings, had to escape the advancing Nazis at the onset of WWII.
Following her mother’s death, she served as companion and hostess for her father, a lawyer and the head of the Portland, Ore., Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. She had a brief career as an actress and was accepted for a small part on Broadway.
She married Leonard Carl Fisher in 1942 in Washington, D.C., an employee of Alcoa for all his career, and she was a dedicated half of their team for 32 years as the family of five was transferred to many locations in the U.S. and then to Europe where he was CEO of Alcoa International in Lausanne, Switzerland, at his retirement in 1971 and death in 1976.
Lisbeth totally enjoyed her European years from 1963 through 1978, entertaining, traveling, skiing, studying languages, absorbing all the changing cultural experiences, and always creating a beautiful and loving home for her family.
She moved to Damariscotta a short time after her husband’s death and turned to painting as a creative outlet, along with music, theater and friendships.
She was predeceased by her husband, Leonard; son, John Wyeneth Fisher, in 1970; sister, Cordelia Dodson Hood of Damariscotta in 2010; and brother, Daniel Boone Dodson in 1991.
She is survived by her daughters, Cordelia Marie Fisher and Sarah Lisbeth Fisher, both of Damariscotta; son-in-law, Derek Webber of Damariscotta; step-granddaughter, Grace Webber of Oakland, Cal.; sister-in-law, Judith Ware Dodson of Columbus, N.M.; and nieces, Dorian Dodson of Columbus, N.M., and Lisa Dodson of Waltham, Mass.
A private celebration of her life will be organized in the spring.
Should friends so desire, donations in her name may be made to The Damariscotta River Association, P.O. Box 333, Damariscotta, ME 04543; The Salt Bay ChamberFest, P.O. Box 1268, Damariscotta, ME 0454; or Miles Home Health and Hospice, Lincoln County Healthcare, c/o Development Office, 35 Miles St., Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
