Elaine Cantor Fischer
Elaine Cantor Fischer, age 62, of Telluride, Colo., passed away on May 30, 2016, following a two and a half year battle with cancer. Beloved wife of the late Mark Fischer, and daughter of Shirley Cantor and the late Nathan Cantor, she is survived by her mother Shirley, of Pittsburgh, and brother Sheldon, his wife Lauren, and nephew Theodore of Charlotte, N.C. Fischer was born Elaine Rochelle Cantor in 1954 in Pittsburgh. A graduate of Peabody High School, she earned her fine arts degree from the Rhode Island School of Design. She pursued her art career, first in New York City and later in Telluride where she relocated with her husband Mark. Following his passing in 1976, she entered politics and is remembered for bringing an extraordinary grace and kindness to Telluride’s rough-and-tumble politics in her nearly four decades of public service. Prior to her election as county commissioner of San Miguel County in 2000, she served as the mayor of Telluride, as a member of the Telluride Town Council and as chair of the Telluride Historic Architectural Review Commission. Among the causes she vigorously championed were early childhood education, the arts and affordable community housing. Also a highly esteemed painter, her works were sought after and regarded in the art community as fresh and powerful. Describing Fischer as “one of the most dedicated public servants I have ever known,” Telluride Mayor Amy Levek 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.” Fischer’s burial and memorial service, attended by more than 500 mourners, was held in Telluride June 2, 2016. In memory of her husband, Fischer created the annual Mark Fischer Poetry Prize in 1986, open to poets residing west of the Mississippi. Awarding a $1,000 first prize, it will now be known as the Mark and Elaine Fischer Poetry Prize. Donations may be made to this and to a scholarship fund for regional graduating seniors pursuing a visual arts degree or entering an arts program: Mark and Elaine Fischer Poetry Prize c/o talking Gourds, Telluride Institute, PO Box 1770 Telluride, CO 81435. Elaine R.C. Fischer Scholarship Fund, Alpine Bank, Acct. 1260500460, 120 S. Pine Street, PO Box 2040, Telluride, CO 81435.
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