Louise Agnes Fishbein

1926 - 2017

Louise Agnes Fishbein obituary, 1926-2017, Arlington, VA

BORN

1926

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Murphy Funeral Homes

4510 Wilson Boulevard

Arlington, Virginia

Louise Fishbein Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 15, 2017.

Louise Fishbein passed away peacefully at her home on June 12, 2017. She was a devoted mother and cherished grandmother, a highly respected teacher in Arlington County Virginia's public school system, a lifelong advocate of progressive causes and an active participant in her community. The arc of her life took her from the mountains of New Hampshire to Washington, DC where she worked with leaders in education and politics and inspired leaders to be. Louise Agnes Pillsbury was born on March 26, 1926 in Grantham, New Hampshire, the younger child of Lyman and Margaret (nee Cotter) Pillsbury. At 18 she left Grantham and came to Washington to work as an FBI "fingerprint girl", part of a wave of rural women who were recruited to fill the federal government's growing clerical needs. She later worked as a librarian at the Washington Post where she met her husband Seymour, to whom she was married for 63 years. They settled in Arlington in 1957. They raised four sons and while doing so she served as a den mother and softball coach of Den 3, Cub Scout Pack 116. She regularly supported her children's school activities. In mid-life she started university coursework graduating Cum Laude from Marymount University in 1977. This resulted in a 27-year career as a public school teacher. She was highly regarded for her teaching skills and taught in Arlington, including at Claremont and Ft. Myer Elementary Schools and for many years at Kenmore Middle School. Even her youngest students were assured of a comprehensive introduction to the works of Shakespeare. Louise received the Washington Post's Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher award for the 1993-1994 school year. Louise was active in local politics and state and local educational issues. She lobbied Congress for more accurate food labeling. She joined efforts to support civil rights marchers in the 1960s and participated in supporting rights of farm workers. She opened her home to anti-war activists in the 1970s. She was a Democratic precinct captain in the Westover Precinct. In 1992 Louise was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, and in 2004 she received the Virginia Democratic Committee's Grassroots Award for the 8th Congressional District. Louise worked actively in the Arlington Education Association where she was a past president of the retirees chapter and served on the Executive Board. Louise also served as the Secretary of the Virginia Education Association's Retirement Council and often spent weekends lobbying in Richmond for educational and other policies. Louise was devoted to her family, had many friends, and enjoyed spending time at the beach in Delaware, in the mountains near her New Hampshire childhood home and in her garden. She was fiercely proud of her Irish heritage and loved recounting her return to her family's farm in Inchigeelagh, County Cork, Ireland. She was predeceased by her husband, her parents, her brother Paul and her five beloved rescue dogs. She is survived by her sons Jonathan, Jeffrey, James and Jerry, her daughters in-law Martha Fishbein, Kim Gilman, Jacqueline Heilman and her eight grandchildren, Sarah, Katie, Alex, Skye, Marina, Eli, Aaron and Cotter. There will be a graveside service on Thursday, June 22 at 2 p.m. at Columbia Gardens Cemetery, 3411 Arlington Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201. A reception will be held at Murphy Funeral Home 4510 Wilson Blvd. Arlington following the service. It will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Arlington Community Foundation Scholarships, 818 N. Quincy Street, Suite 103, Arlington, VA, 22203 or to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, 2650 S. Arlington Mill Dr, Arlington, VA, 22206.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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August 18, 2017

Alia Khan

Mrs. Fishbein was my English teacher at Kenmore Middle School many years ago. She was one of my favorite teachers. I will truly miss her. She taught me a lot.

July 11, 2017

Aldonia Cooper

I met Ms Fishbein at our AEA meeting. She was a joy to talk to and always wore a very pleasant and warm smile. The memories of her love and true activism for the AEA inspired me to do more. It is my prayer that I can have that same spirit and motivation as Ms Fishbein had as a new retiree. She was a jewel!

June 22, 2017

HELENE CONGE

I met Mrs. Fishbein through her daughter-in-law and then at the Arlington Education Teachers Retirement Association. She was a lovely and energetic women. She was full of charisma and knowledge. She will be missed.

June 22, 2017

Kate Lawrence

Louise had such a wonderful and nurturing energy about her. I met her years ago through AEA and loved her gentle way of communicating even her strongest points of view. She was truly a lovely lady with beautiful energies and aura.

June 22, 2017

Kate Lawrence

I came to know Louise through AEA and realized instantly that I had met not only a lovely lady but a lovely soul. She was pure joy to be around and always had time to listen to what you had to say. A thoughtful, gentle and truly sweet person who made such a difference in so many lives. Beautiful energy with a beautiful aura!

Kate Lawrence, Annandale, Virginia

June 19, 2017

Ingrid Gant

Jeff,
After transferring from Gunston MS to Kenmore MS in 1996, your mother, Ms. Fishbein was a heck of a Cheerleader coach. It was an honor and a privilege to received her legacy passed on to me. I'll never forget her kind word, "Ingrid, it's all yours now, but know I'm always here to help you!". Those same words came out of her mouth last year, when she came to visit me in the AEA office. She'll never be forgotten and will always have a special place in my heart. Til we meet again, peace, comfort and love to you and your entire family.

June 18, 2017

judy thibault klevins

Louise gave so many gifts to so many; she's an inspiration to us all.

Please accept our condolences and know she will be remembered.

June 17, 2017

Marni Penning Coleman

I wrote a blog entry about the impact Louise had on me - she quite literally changed my life. I became a Shakespearean actress because of her, and she instilled in me a lifelong love of language. The full text is here: http://insomnimama.blogspot.com/2013/05/to-be.html.

To her entire family, my heartfelt condolences. She was an amazing woman and a brilliant mentor, and her passion for the Bard, as well as her zest and spunk, will remain with me for the rest of my life.

"I can no other answer make but thanks, and thanks."
May "flights of angels sing thee to thy rest," Louise.
I'm so lucky to have known you.
Love,
Marni

June 16, 2017

Annie-hannah Mancini

Joe
First and foremost of all - my sincerest and deepest thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

Please know that time and space in friendships - which were filled with laughter and just plain fun - never loose its potency - and in times like these, becomes stronger.

Love and Peace from Woodstock NY
Annie-hannah Mancini

June 16, 2017

Claire Thomas

To Joe and the Fishbein family,
I am so glad I had the pleasure of knowing your mother, she was such a wonderful person. I am very sorry for your loss. She will now be with your father and watching over all of you

Claire Thomas

June 16, 2017

Bonnie Pfoutz

The children of Arlington were much richer because of their contact with Louise. She was also a strong advocate to teacher rights. She will be sorely missed.

June 16, 2017

Barbara Wilson

I had the privilege of serving with Louise on the VEA-Retired Council of which I am the current Secretary. Louise was always full of life and grace and will be fondly remembered.

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