Sarah Louise (Putnam) Fisher

Sarah L. Fisher passed away on January 12, 2026, in Gilroy, California. She is survived by her two sisters, Jane Meyer Kennedy and Anne Wagner; three children, Alysa Selby (Chris), Rob Fisher, and Barry Fisher (Kathy); her four grandchildren, Brendan, Karissa, Andre, and Megan; her "last" dog, Kamby; and her adopted Danish son, Jakob Groot.

Sarah was born on December 5, 1943, in Redding, California, to Robert and Geraldine "Jerry" Putnam. When she was twelve, her family moved to Sacramento, where she became a champion swimmer, attended Loretto High School and later studied at the University of California, Davis. It was at UC Davis, while coaching an advanced swimming and diving class, that Sarah met the love of her life and 54-year-long partner, Don Fisher.

Don proposed to Sarah by phone from Fort Bliss, Texas. After joyfully saying "yes," Sarah promptly canceled her date (not with Don) for the evening and began a new chapter. They were married on December 15, 1962, and at the end of the school semester, she moved to Büdingen, Germany, where Don was deployed with the U.S. Army.

In 1967, Sarah and Don-now with two children, Alysa and Rob-moved to Visalia, California. There, they raised their three children and spent 47 years surrounded by close friends, laughter, and countless cherished memories, before relocating in 2014 to live near their son, Rob.

Sarah was an extraordinarily talented seamstress, particularly a dressmaker. What's more, her personal license plate "SEWNFTY" ("I do and I am") pronounced this competence. She made nearly all of her family's clothing, including their ski apparel, when the family took up skiing and unfortunately, including the boys' Speedos (her one fail). She taught sewing and pattern making at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia and became legendary for her ability to recreate any wedding gown simply by seeing photographs, so much so that she was famously barred from every bridal shop in Visalia and neighboring towns. There was no designer label she could not imitate, and many a bride, bridesmaid, prom date and close friend proudly sported a "Sarah Fisher Original" label while celebrating some of life's most joyous moments.

Since 2006, Sarah was a devoted member of P.E.O., belonging first to the Visalia chapter before joining the WJ in Los Gatos. She was also an avid gardener who transformed every space she touched. Wherever she lived, she joined a garden club and most recently served as President of the South Valley Garden Club in Gilroy.

Above all, Sarah loved her family and friends deeply. She had a remarkable gift for making everyone feel like the most important person in the room, with every child and grandchild being able to claim they were "the favorite." She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

A Mass will be held on March 20, 2026 at St. Mary's Parish in Gilroy, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: P.E.O., Chapter WJ, 17370 High St., Los Gatos, CA 95030; or to the South Valley Garden Club, 8860 Rancho Hills Dr., Gilroy, CA 95020.

Published in Gilroy Dispatch · February 17, 2026