Gloria Fischer

Gloria A Fischer, 75, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2017, amongst friends while in the hospital. She struggled with several severe health issues over the last year, including throat and lung cancer and kidney failure. In the end, she finally felt she was ready, and wrote her final note to us, saying “I think I just want strong pain medicine and to meet God.” She was given pain medication, and peacefully met her Lord later that afternoon.

Gloria was a professional artist who was passionate about life and beauty. Her passions for art lead her to travel the world to learn about art history and to find inspiration for her own work. Her work was featured in galleries across the country. She studied art at Heron Art School, where she earned a BFA degree, in Fine Arts and Art History. She shared her passion and skill in art by teaching drawing to adults at the Indianapolis Art Center, for over 30 years. Gloria’s enthusiasm for art was infectious, and gave her a devoted following amongst her students. Perhaps her most important skill was her ability to see the world as it is, and see the beauty that lies in every curve and shape, and she did her best to develop that skill in her students. She has been named one of Indiana’s Most Influential Women Artists, and is a founding of the National Museum of Women in the Arts.
Gloria also shared her love and her laugh with everyone close to her, most importantly her family. She met her husband Bob of 55 years at Valparaiso University, where the two immediately fell in love. They were married in Ponca City, Oklahoma on June 16, 1962, and then moved to Indianapolis. Their love was felt by all who met them. Perhaps most of all, they loved to laugh together, and their joy warmed the smiles of the innumerable friends they gained over the years. They had two sons, Robert (Margaret) and Brent (Catherine), who were both inspired by Gloria. Robert was inspired by her vision of beauty in the natural world to become a biologist, while Brent gained her compassion and love of animals, and became a veterinarian. Bob and Gloria loved to travel together, and taught their boys this love of adventure.
Gloria was born in Tomball, Texas, a Houston suburb. Along with her husband and sons, she is survived by her sisters Eudora (David) Taylor, LaVern (John) Rauh, and Diana Antal. Her sister and brother-in-law Grace and Max Davis precede her in her walk with their Lord.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday September 16, 2017 at Flanner and Buchanan-Speedway at 2 pm with calling one hour prior to the service. Online condolences and a video tribute may be shared at www.flannerbuchanan.com
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked donations be made to Gloria’s charity of choice- the Indianapolis Art Center.