Events
Janice Duke Fisher, 85, of West Valley City passed away on October 22, 2024.
Janice was born on November 28,1938 to Jim and Margie Duke in Salt Lake City, Utah.
On January 15, 1960, she married Elsworth Barr “Barry” Fisher II in the Salt Lake Temple. Barry and Janice went on to have three children: Wendy Simmons (Curt), David Barr Fisher (Cindy), and Kirk James Fisher (Jodie).
Janice managed the Cyprus Ice Rink for several years, helping young students learn to skate. She was elected to the West Valley City Council and served 16 years. She also served as Mayor pro tem for four years.
Janice held several civic positions over the years. In 1980, Janice was on West Valley City’s “Save Our City” committee. She was also the first woman to serve on the West Valley City Planning and Zoning Commission. She was then elected to the West Valley City Council. During her tenure, the city made progress with the building of West Valley City Hall, the “E” Center, Hale Centre Theater, the WVC Fitness Center, Acord Ice Arena, Centennial Park, fire stations and two golf courses.
Janice was on the Salt Lake County Boundary Commission, Board of Trustees member for the Magna Mosquito Abatement District, member and former Chair of the Pioneer Valley Hospital Board of Trustees, and volunteer on the Days of ‘47 Parade Committee, as well as during the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics and Salt Lake Para-Olympics. In 1985 (the Wood anniversary of West Valley City), she founded the “West Valley Trees” Committee. This committee raised money to buy trees for the parks and other areas. Janice was recognized as West Valley City Woman of the Year in 1989.
Janice served as a Democratic member of the Utah House of Representatives from 2005 to 2015, representing West Valley City District 29 and District 30. During the 2014 General Session, she served on the House Government Operations Committee and the House Transportation Committee. In 2019, Janice was inducted into the Cyprus High School Hall of Fame. She fought for the underdog, passing legislation to strengthen laws that protect children in domestic violence situations, and advocated for police and fire fighters, as well as families. She was active in church, scouting, and PTA. Family was her world, and she was big on tradition.
Janice was preceded in death by her husband, Barry Fisher, parents Jim and Margie Duke, brother Doug Smith (Dorothy), sisters Margaret McQuaid (Bill), Jeanne Humphreys (Jay), and Lola Duke. She is survived by her children, nine grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Special thanks to Legacy House of Taylorsville and Inspiration Home Health & Hospice.
Funeral services will begin at Noon on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at the Hunter 14th Ward, 3450 South 6400 West in West Valley City. Viewings will be held Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Larkin Mortuary – Riverton, 3688 West 12600 South in Riverton as well as Saturday at the church prior to services beginning at 11:00 AM. Interment to follow at the Midvale City Cemetery, 471 6th Ave, Midvale, Utah.
Funeral services will be streamed via Zoom for those wishing to attend virtually. To watch the services, please click the "Watch Services" link above.
Guestbook/Condolences
Wishing the Fisher family love and prayers. Mrs. Fisher was such a great example to us all. Her life was spent uplifting and making a difference in our communities.
I am so sorry Kirk. I know what it’s like to be an orphan, and you miss them every day!
Your Mom was quite a woman and very successful. Her biggest success was her family. I know my mother sure thought a lot of her.
Again, my heart goes out to you and your family. ❤️🩹 Tammy
Janice was on the City Council when I worked for West Valley City. I always admired her dedication to the City.
Janice was one of the finest, kindest, caring people I have ever known. She worked hard to serve the citizens of WVC. She was one of the best Councilmembers I ever served with in any city. She welcomed me to WVC and made me feel at home. She even had Barry come over to explain to me the box on the top of our house. He showed me how to get the swamp cooler working and shared why it would work. Janice cared deeply about people and esteemed everyone her equal. Memories of Janice bring warmth and joy to my heart. She was the best!
So sorry to hear of your passing. We love you Janice. You were the awesome mom a couple doors down!!!Trying to keep all the neighborhood kids out of trouble. You were a great example to others, in many capacities. Letting your light shine through service to others daily. Your hard work was a blessing to many. What joy is yours as you reunite with Barry, family and friends. You will be missed❤️❤️❤️
Wendy, David, & Kirk:
The Eldorado DUP camp Janice served as this group was founded announced your mother's death and funeral at our Nov. 11, 2024 meeting.
I'm sorry to learn of your mother's death, but know she and Barry celebrated a joyful reunion.
I met Janice just after we moved to our King Valley Road address when she became our son's Junior Sunday School Coordinator. It was my pleasure to work for her at the Cyprus Ice Rink covering the Thursday night City Council meetings. She set a great path for future female city council reps because she knew that being first to vote gave her a chance to be the last to vote instead. She was the deciding vote on many important issues.
I appreciate the way she served in the Utah House of Representatives for my area. We didn't always agree on all issues, but I felt listened to as we discussed issues being considered by the legislature. She also was willing to fight to maintain a bus route commuters were using near Hillside Elementary and the West Park at 4100 So. 6000 W. UTA cancelled the route anyway, but her efforts showed she cared about the people she represented.
I'm proud to call her my friend. I'll miss her.
May you have the peace of knowing how much she's influenced the lives of people she represented.