Susan M. Fischer, Sedalia

Susan Margaret O’Brien Fischer, 48, of Sedalia, died Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, at her home.

She was born Nov. 18, 1959 in St. Louis, a daughter of William T. and Mary C. Ogier O’Brien. On April 23, 1988, in Laurie, she was married to Joseph Maurice Fischer, who survives of the home.

She graduated from McCluer High School in Florissant, in 1977. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri in 1981 with a major in journalism and a minor in German. She went on to earn a master’s degree in English literature from Central Missouri State University in 1996.

After graduation, she traveled extensively throughout Europe for 20 months. She wrote for the St. Louis Suburban News Journal from 1983 to 1984. In Salinas, Calif., she wrote a weekly travel news column in 1986. The following year she moved to Camdenton, and co-owned two Scribbles restaurants until 1990. From 1991 to 1993 she worked in the public relations department at CMSU and from 1994 to 1996 she taught writing classes, also at CMSU. From 2005 to 2007 she wrote a column dealing with family life issues for The Sedalia Democrat.

Her main focus in life was raising her three daughters. She served on the Sacred Heart school board. She co-chaired the capital campaign for the addition to Sacred Heart School. She was a member of Sacred Heart Building Committee. She was coordinator for St. Patrick’s Meals on Wheels. She was a past president of Sacred Heart Parents Club and served as a member of State Fair Community Foundation Board.

Also surviving are her three daughters, Rachel Marie, Claire Eleanor, and Mary Margaret; two brothers, William M. O’Brien and Joseph P. O’Brien, both of St. Louis; and six sisters; Catherine Bell, Jane Cosby, Mary Therese Heitman, Nancy Kreis, Elizabeth Forsee, all of St. Louis, and Helen Orr, Chicago, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; and a sister, Margaret Helen O’Brien.

Funeral services will be Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick Church, with the Rev. Timothy Armbruster, Monsignor Marion Makarewicz, the Rev. Tom Albers, the Rev. Kevin Gormley, and the Rev. Jim Betzen officiating. Her brothers and sisters will serve as pallbearers. The rosary will be recited at 5 p.m. Sunday at St. Patrick Church with visitation to follow.

Friends may call to sign the register book Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at McLaughlin Funeral Chapel, or sign online at www.mc-laughlinfuneralchapel.com.

The family suggests memorial gifts to Sacred Heart School Building Fund, in care of McLaughlin Funeral Chapel.