GLOUCESTER - Cynthia M. Fisk, aged 90, of Gloucester, died peacefully of natural causes on January 10th at Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, MA.
Born in Rochester, NY, she overcame many Depression-era obstacles to achieve her goals. A Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Mount Holyoke College in 1945, with a Masters degree in social work from Tufts University many years later, she worked in Ipswich as an elementary guidance counselor for twelve years. Then, she went on to be a psychotherapist at North Essex Mental Health Center in Haverhill for eight years, appreciating the chance to experience and assist people at a profound level.
Cynthia was also an avid writer who liked to chronicle psychological and social interactions in both fiction and non-fiction as a way to bring some clarity to her own and others’ journeys through life. She was particularly well-known in Gloucester as a frequent contributor via her column entitled Mid-Week Musings and scores of letters to the ever-receptive and enthusiastic editor of the Gloucester Daily Times. She also sent letters to the Boston Globe, which generously printed a number of them. She considered Gloucester her spiritual home and often walked the Back Shore, her favorite place of all.
She became known as “the lady who picks up the litter” wherever she walked. In this, she was a true example for us all. Only a head injury--that she received when bending down to pick up yet another shred of paper or aluminum can and losing her balance--could put a damper on her efforts. When she moved to Gloucester, an editorial bemoaned the loss of Cynthia’s efforts picking up trash in Byfield and Rowley. Once, she redeemed the cans she’d collected and uncharacteristically invested the proceeds in a lottery ticket, winning $65. She was thrilled.
Cynthia was the loving mother of three children, Pamela Hepburn Fisk and husband Gregory Rodgers, of Pompano Beach, Florida; David C. Fisk of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, now deceased; and Brian W. Fisk of Gloucester. All her children were born at Addison-Gilbert Hospital.
The widow of Wilbur Fisk who died in 1974 and of Kenneth L. Murphy who died in 1998, Cynthia carried on their tradition of being active in the community. While living in Gloucester, she was deeply involved with the Cape Ann Interfaith Commission as well as the North Shore Friends Meeting along with many local and national peace and justice groups. With her strong humanistic values, she had long felt that war is not the answer to conflict and that non-violent communication can yield true amity. She cared deeply for others with unwavering kindness, loyalty and warmth. Her friends far and wide will miss her dearly.
A memorial service in the Quaker tradition will be held at 11 am on Saturday, January 24th, at the Gloucester Unitarian-Universalist Church, 10 Church Street, Gloucester. A luncheon reception will be held immediately following. In lieu of flowers, gifts should be made to the charity of your choice.