Emigail Lilly Fisk, Class of 1947

Emigail Lilly Fisk ’47 died December 13, 2021. Emily, also known as Emigail, (Emily Abigail) was born to Jerome and Winifred Lilly on February 21, 1926 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. She was an only child and grew up in a home on 76th Street. Emily attended South Grand Rapids High School on and graduated in 1943. She attended Otterbein College in Oho but later moved to Lansing to attend Michigan State College and graduated with seven other students with a degree in psychology/philosophy. While at Otterbein, she was part of the Tau Delta sorority.

Emily’s first job was for the Grand Rapids Urban League Brough Community Center. Later she got a job in Newaygo County working for the State of Michigan. After a few years she was offered a job in the lab at Gerber Products in Fremont where she met her late husband William. Emily stayed at home caring for her children until their youngest son started school. She went back to work for the Newaygo County Community Service as a social worker for twelve years before retiring. After they both retired they loved spending their winter months in Asheville, North Carolina. Emily had been an active member of the St. John’s Episcopal Church in Fremont where she had served on various boards and committees throughout the years and was a member of the Carlisle United Methodist Church in Byron Center where she sang in the choir. Emily was a lifelong donor to many charitable organizations. She loved spending time with family and friends, especially on her beloved front porch. She was a beautiful soprano and enjoyed singing, playing piano and sang in the choir at the Carlisle Methodist Church. She believed the greatest joy in life was to give of yourself to others.

Emily is survived by her children, Lily Beth Perla; William “Jerry” (Judith Ann) Fisk; John (Joan Marie) Fisk; 12 grandchildren; and many great grandchildren.