Gloria Ruth Waxman Fish died Feb. 8, 2022, at Sunrise of Leawood, following a 14-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 90.
A Kansas City native, Gloria was born March 4, 1931, to Harold and Florence (Lieberman) Waxman. Gloria graduated from Paseo High School and then attended Kansas City University, which later became known as the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Gloria married Leon Fish on Dec. 24, 1950, at Congregation Beth Shalom, and they were married 54 years. Gloria was a devoted wife and mother. After her children began school, Gloria worked as a lunch monitor at South City View Elementary School.
In search of a challenge, Gloria enrolled in tax preparation classes, which led to a 30-year career at H&R Block. She began as a tax preparer and advanced to work in the Executive Tax Service office. She taught advanced tax classes and was an enrolled agent. Gloria juggled her professional career while also serving as a caregiver to her husband Leon after his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.
Gloria was a talented artist, poet, and author. She gave her first violin recital at age 4 and played piano from the time she was a young child until recent years. She took art classes at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, assisted friends with setting up displays at the Plaza Art Fair, and, in 2012, had her watercolor painting selected to be auctioned at the Alzheimer’s Association Annual Fundraiser.
She had a passion for the theater and was a long-time season ticket holder with KC Theater League. Her favorite production was “Les Misérables.” Gloria also enjoyed knitting, which her mother taught her at a young age. She would knit and donate hats to the homeless in the winter.
Gloria liked to play mahjong, Scrabble, poker and bridge. She was an avid reader and found pleasure in perusing books at the Mid-Continent Public Library’s Red Bridge Branch, shelf by shelf, and reading everything she could find about the British royalty. She enjoyed creative writing and wrote articles that were published in the Wednesday Magazine and Boys’ Life (now Scout Life).
As a loyal baseball fan, Gloria seldom missed her sons’ youth baseball games and could be found rooting for the Kansas City A’s and Kansas City Royals, whether attending the games in person or listening on her radio. Several pieces of memorabilia she owned have been donated to the Royal’ Hall of Fame, where they are on display.
Gloria and Leon were founding members of the former Temple Beth El and later returned to Congregation Beth Shalom, where she remained a member until her passing. Gloria and Leon’s children became B’nai Mitzvah and were confirmed at Beth Shalom.
Gloria is survived by her three children: Jennifer Fish, Joel Fish (Annette) and Douglas Fish (Fanny); five adoring grandchildren, Cara Schiff (Mike), Bryan Fish, Amber Hazard, Lenore Fish (Dakota Fry) and Opal Fish; great-grandson, Jacob Schiff; and her brother, Dr. Herbert Waxman (Cheryl). The family wishes to thank Sunrise of Leawood and Kansas City Hospice for their loving care and support.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be kindly made to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation (P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014), the Alzheimer’s Association (Heart of America Chapter, 3846 W 75 St, Prairie Village, KS 66208), Kansas City Hospice (9001 Stateline Road, Suite 300, Kansas City, MO 64114), or a charity of one’s choice.
A graveside service was held on Thursday, Feb. 10, at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.
