b'vice president and then in the office of the president.Her unofficial work was invaluable. She helped THE BLESSED MOTHER, SHE TOOKgive retreats around the country for Lay Marianists, ME ON HER SHOULDER WHEN Imoderated the presidents ambassadors group, andparticipated in the Marianist Forum for faculty, staff, WAS A YOUNG GIRL; IVE ALWAYSand administrators to help promote the schools FELT SO CLOSE TO HER.Catholic Marianist identity.In addition, she and the late Marianist Sister MarcyMelba FisherLoehrlein formed faith-sharing groups at St. Marysbased on the then-unpublished Growing in theVirtues of Jesus by Marianist Father Quentin Hakenewerth. She had met Father Quentin whenher brother was ordained in 1961. We started the faith-sharing groups to practicethese virtues and see how they worked in lay peopleslives, Fisher said. Wed have been excited if fivepeople came to the first meeting in the presidentsoffice, but the office was full. That showed me thatthe Marianist Charism is speaking very loudly to lay people.While working full-time at St. Marys and spreadingthe charism, she found time to pursue her degree inEnglish communications arts. She completed her degree in 14 years as a part-time student, using lunchbreaks and going to night school. She did all thiswhile raising two stepsons with her husband, Dan,who died in 2007.Along the way, she worked with 14 Marianistbrothers and priests, and socialized with manymore. Being around so many Marianists through the years, she received a private masters class of instruction in the charism.I learned so much just by talking with them,by osmosis, she said. They just imbued us inthe Marianist Charism. I grew up with these fellowswho were totally dedicated to the Blessed Mother.She calls them the Marianist giants and recallsfond memories whenever shes on campus, whethershes visiting the Marianist Residence or giving a presentation about her favorite subjecttheBlessed Mother.When I go back, its like I can feel the spirit of allthose Marianists when I walk the halls, like their spiritis still there, she said. I just get this wonderful, very Top photo: Thanks to her brotherFather Joseph Uvietta, SM, (left, in 2021)thankful, grateful feeling because I knew and worked Melba Fisher first met the Marianists in the 1940s.with so many of the brothers. I really feel so blessed Bottom photo: A regular visitor to the Marianist Residence in San Antonio, Melbabecause I had, in those 41 years at St. Marys, a phenom- Fisher poses with Father Al McMenamy, SM, (left) and Brother Jerry Bommer, SM.enal experience.\x01marianist.com/donate 7'