Professor Jennifer “Jenny” Fisher died Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Fisher, 55, was a lecturer in keyboard studies at Eastern Michigan University for 18 years.
Fisher was born Feb. 28, 1971, in Morrison, Illinois, and was raised on her family’s farm, her obituary said. She graduated from Eastland High School in Lanark, Illinois, in 1989. Fisher earned a Bachelor of Arts in music therapy from Western Illinois University in 1994. Later, she graduated with a Master of Arts in piano pedagogy from EMU, a statement from the university's school of music and dance said.
Fisher began her career in music therapy, using her talents and passions to help those in need, before following her calling in ministry.
"Jenny moved to Michigan to serve with Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, where she invested deeply in the lives of college students. She was lovingly known as 'Pastor Jenny,' a name that reflected the care, guidance, and spiritual leadership she offered and one that remained with her throughout the years," stated the obituary.
She ultimately decided to change her path to teaching music when her professor, Garik Pedersen, encouraged her to teach, said Hyun-Jin Lim, a lecturer of piano at EMU.
“She graduated from Eastern with her master's in piano pedagogy and after that started teaching for us. She has been teaching as a part-time lecturer for 18 years. All music majors took her fundamental classes. Everybody knew her, and her students liked her … she knew probably 90% of music majors for the last 18 years," said Christopher Barrick, director of the School of Music and Dance.
Fisher, or as her students lovingly called her, “J Fishe,” was known for her kindness and would frequently go out of her way to help her students, family and friends.
Senior music education student Willow Hazucha described the supportive nature of the classes Fisher taught.
“Overall, she was just a very kind and warm and good-hearted person. She was very sweet, and she ran class in a way where there was a lot of information and learning, but it felt like low-stakes. She never made us feel stressed about our performance tests or like it was the end of the world if we messed up," Hazucha said. "Another thing she absolutely did not have to do, was when a lot of the freshman in her class were struggling in our music theory class, she would take time out of the lesson to re-explain concepts to us, and some students would even go to her office hours to get help on assignments for other classes.”
Fisher's colleagues noticed her effect on students, too.
“She was very easy to work with and come to for anything. I could just see the students loving her. She was a very passionate and energetic educator and teacher,” said Bing Li, a professor of piano at EMU.
Fisher's care and selflessness extended to anyone she met. In an email to The Echo, Lim wrote, “Jenny was more than just a colleague to me; she was a dear friend — the only one I felt I could truly open my heart to. Regardless of how busy her own schedule was, she was always 'open' and available whenever I needed someone to talk to."
Lim described how her academic relationship with Fisher developed into a friendship after Lim started regularly buying eggs from Fisher, who had chickens.
"Usually, academic relationships stay within the confines of the school, and we often don't see colleagues during the four-month summer break. But it was different with Jenny. Using the 'egg hand-offs' as an excuse, we were able to meet and catch up even during the vacations. Whenever I needed someone to consult with or lean on at school, Jenny was the only person I turned to," Lim wrote in her email. "Her selfless and open nature was evident even during her battle with illness. I remember a short message she shared while she was suffering; her prayer request wasn't for her own pain, but for her family and friends who would one day have to face her sudden absence. I sincerely hope that the kindness, love, and devotion she poured into her students will continue to live on and be remembered by all of us."
Fisher's positivity and supportive nature were evident in her workplace and her impact on students, her colleagues said.
“She's the kind of person you always see in the hallway, always a smile on her face. In her job, she was responsible for teaching a class that is not always easy for students. She was just so talented at making the kids feel welcome, safe and that success was possible for them. She was always chipper and bright and never had a complaint," said Joel Schoenhals, another professor of piano at EMU.
As well as a professor, colleague, and friend, Fisher also was deeply involved with Eastern Michigan University’s Community Music Academy. She taught music lessons and group classes to children ages 4-10 for many years. She was a teacher, mentor and friend to her students, young and old.
The School of Music and Dance is working to celebrate and honor her memory in a future event, Barrick said.
A memorial service will take place Monday, March 23, 2026, at Hot Rock Church, which family and friends are invited to attend, her obituary said. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the service at 10 a.m. Hot Rock Church is at 6560 Merritt Road, Ypsilanti.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Fisher's honor to Trinity Home Hospice, the obituary said.
