Elaine's Memorial
It it with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our dear Elaine Fischer this week.
Elaine Fischer
For some Telluride residents, Memorial Day began with an early-morning bagpipe rendition of “Amazing Grace.” Greg Henshaw performed the tribute on the long metal steps leading to the
north hillside home of longtime Telluride resident Elaine Fischer, who had died in the early hours after a two-and- a-half- year battle with ovarian cancer.
A four-term San Miguel County commissioner, Fischer died at the age of 62. She may be remembered most for bringing an extraordinary grace and kindness to Telluride’s rough-and-
tumble politics in nearly four decades of public service.
Prior to her election to San Miguel County’s Board of County Commissioners in 2000, Fischer served as the mayor of Telluride, as a member of the Telluride Town Council, and as chair of the
Telluride Historic and Architectural Review Commission.
But Fischer was also a highly regarded painter, whose last gallery show in Telluride last year nearly sold out. Among the causes, she most vigorously championed in office were support for the arts and affordable community housing.
Fischer’s passing has been met by a storm of tributes and reminiscences on social media. “I can’t imagine a more beloved county commissioner,” Commissioner Joan May posted on
Facebook. “She was devoted to her work and her community. And she was as strong of an artist as she was a public servant.”
“It’s pretty phenomenal for a political person to be such a fine artist,” Commissioner Art Goodtimes told the Daily Planet last week, in a story announcing Fischer’s resignation from office. “We’ve been close friends, we’ve been colleagues, and we’ve also been fellow artists. She’s an amazing, powerful, strong and inspiring leader.” Describing Fischer as “one of the most dedicated public servants I have ever known,” former Telluride Mayor Amy Levek, who was appointed last week to serve out the remaining months of Fischer’s term on the BOCC, said, “What I will always cherish and admire and love about Elaine was her dedication to her art and the creativity she brought to it. "She really found her voice through her art, which had laid dormant because of her focus on her elected positions.
Her work was strong and brave and incredibly inspiring.” “The wide range of her interests and commitments in her elected jobs went way beyond her personal interests,” wrote another of Fischer’s close friends, Kathy Green. “Elaine was one of the strongest regional advocates for early childhood education, despite never having a child. Elaine learned about sustainability and became fully committed.
Elaine was an advocate for extreme mountain sports – something she had no desire to do herself. Elaine listened very closely when I would talk about the Via Ferrata and knew the route. Elaine was the first to defend the Via Ferrata against the [U.S. Forest Service] District Ranger wanting to remove it at a SMC commissioners meeting.”
Telluride Theatre’s Sasha Sullivan wrote, “I was lucky enough to witness the magic of this dedicated/working artist, who served her community with fierce passion and selflessness. She was a kick-ass strong woman who always stood up for what she believed in. I learned so much being around her and will carry it around me forever.”
And Telluride Arts’ Executive Director Kate Jones said this: “I love and miss this smart, scrappy, deeply talented, visionary, powerful, and inspired woman,” who, in addition to being “the longest artist-in- residence at the Stronghouse Studios, where she consistently produced brave, fresh, and powerful work, “ was also a tireless and passionate board member and supporter of Telluride Arts, mentoring me, helping establish the Telluride Arts District, and adroitly launching the early effort to restore the Telluride Transfer Warehouse when it was still a dream. “
Fischer was born Elaine R. Cantor in 1954, in Pittsburgh. She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1976. After a stint in New York City, she relocated to Telluride with Mark
Fischer, who would become her husband; Fischer, an attorney, died unexpectedly of a heart attack in 1987 at the age of 40, leaving his wife to navigate life in Telluride as a single woman
thereafter. She is survived by her mother, Shirley Cantor; her brother, Sheldon Cantor; and her nephew, Theodore Cantor.
Ten years after her husband’s death, Fischer created the annual Mark Fischer Poetry Prize, open to poets residing west of the Mississippi. Awarding a $1,000 first prize (along with three
$100 finalists’ prizes), it will now be known as the Mark and Elaine Fischer Poetry Prize. Donations to this, and to a new scholarship fund for regional graduating seniors pursuing a visual arts degree or entering an arts program, can be made to The Elaine Fischer Benefit Account – No. 126050060 account at Alpine Bank, in lieu of flowers.
A memorial service will take place Thursday, June 2, at the Pavilion in Telluride Town Park, at 2:30 p.m. (attendees can walk, or park on East Colorado, beyond the entrance to the park)