Virginia Lee Porter Fiser

Fiser, Virginia Lee Porter, 83, born September 8, 1922 in McAlester, OK, died February 24, 2006. First memorial service is 2:00 pm Monday at Downing and Lahey East Mortuary, second memorial service is 2:00 pm Tuesday, at the First Presbyterian Church in Cherryvale, KS. Virginia graduated Cherryvale H.S. in 1940 as valedictorian, she performed often on the flute, in choirs, bands, orchestras, in local, regional and state groups. An honor student, music major at University of Kansas pre-war, received many scholastic honors and awards including the Miller Hall Residence Scholarship, Luella Stewart Award, Geo. Innes Award, and others. She was initiated 1942 in XI of MU PHI EPSILON, National Profession Music Fraternity. Later, she was an art history major at Wichita State University, was charter member of PHI KAPPA PHI, National Honorary Scholastic Society. She served as National Executive Secretary Treasurer for MU PHI EPSILON, 1956-1968; later as their National Philippine Chairman, and their National Archives Chairman. As a member of Wichita Alumni of MU PHI EPSILON she held offices: Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, President and several years as chapter advisor to PHI PI chapter of MU PHI EPSILON at WSU. She held various national offices in PROFESSIONAL PANHELLENIC ASSOCIATION and was national President 1971-73. She was also a member of National Board of Interfraternity Research and Advisory Council (IRAC) 1973-75. As a national honorary member of ZETA PHI ETA, Speech and Theatre; she assisted Wichita University Faculty member, Mary Jane Teall, with local Zeta chapter at WSU. Charter member of CPA Wives, Wichita. Member of Wichitas THURSDAY AFTERNOON MUSIC CLUB for more than 50 years, serving as president 1957-59, plus many years on Board of Directors. President, OPERA KANSAS 1996 and over ten years on their Board of Directors, and was on first Board of Directors of Autumn Chase Homeowners Assn., Garden Committee, and first Lakepoint Masters Assn. Garden Committee. She enjoyed creative and historical writing projects, including privately printed family history and research books. She also enjoyed travel, both domestic and abroad, interior design, art history, geography, classical literature, classical music, ballet, theater, music theatre and opera. She especially enjoyed many years of close friendship with WSU music faculty and music students. Survivors include husband Van; sons, Frederick E. Fiser of Sacramento, CA and Kurt E. Fiser of Wichita; daughters-in-law, Sheri Fiser, and Mary Fiser; sisters, Eleanor Porter Riordan of Solveng, CA, Frances M. Power of Santa Rosa, CA and Emma Porter Cummins of Junction City, KS; brothers, James A Porter of Martinez, CA and Thomas J. Porter of Cherryvale, KS; grandchildren, Sol Fiser, Timothy Fiser, Sarah Watkins, Nicole Reed, Christine Abraham, Erika Fiser, Jonathan Fiser, Mariko Fiser, Kiyoko Fiser, Jeff Pierson and Jenni Bader; numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and hundreds of close friends. A memorial has been established with WSU School of Music, with emphasis for Opera/Music Theatre Dept. c/o WSU Foundation, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260-2000. Tributes may be sent to the family via downingandlahey.com Second Memorial Service, 2:00 Tuesday, February 28, First Presbyterian Church, Cherryvale, KS.