Susan Fisher: Embodies the Spirit of Small Town Chelan by Simply Walking, Waving & Inspiring.

27/10/2025 1h 8min
Susan Fisher: Embodies the Spirit of Small Town Chelan by Simply Walking, Waving & Inspiring.

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Episode Synopsis

Today on Small Towns Unscripted, we’re honored to share the story of a woman whose quiet presence along a two-lane road has become one of the most heartwarming traditions in the Chelan Valley.If you’ve ever driven Highway 150 between Chelan and Manson, chances are you’ve seen her: smiling, waving, and picking up litter — a living landmark of positivity and care. For more than 25 years, Susan Fisher has walked the same stretch of road, from town to near Rocky Point, exchanging waves and honks with passing drivers. She’s counted over 500 waves in a single day — and countless smiles in return.But Susan’s story isn’t just about walking. It’s about resilience.She’s lived in the Chelan Valley for 83 years. Born in Seattle and moved frequently as a child, she finally landed in Chelan Falls when her father took a job with Washington Water Power (now the PUD). Her family’s roots run deep — her grandfather was Manson’s first postmaster, and her grandmother was its first schoolteacher.She followed in her mother’s footsteps into nursing, graduating from Chelan High and the Deaconess School of Nursing. She worked as an RN at the original hospital — now apartments — right here in town. Her late husband, Dr. Fisher, was one of three doctors who started the Chelan Clinic in 1963 — a pillar of the community’s healthcare ever since.But Susan has also walked through deep valleys of grief. She lost her first daughter at just four months old to SIDS. And yet, she carried on with strength and grace, eventually raising three more daughters — two of whom now live in the Wenatchee area, and one in Bellingham.Through joy and heartbreak, her spirit has remained rooted in something beautifully simple.When asked how she stays so positive, Susan shared this:“Just be happy. Keep moving. Remember — change is inevitable. And if you can’t change something, let it go. Don’t worry about it.”She continues to live those words every day — whether volunteering with Habitat, TLC for Seniors, or walking the road with her bright smile and sharp eye for roadside litter. She’s a member of the Episcopal Church, PEO, Hospital Guild Y, and the Lake Chelan Health & Wellness Foundation — a woman of action, community, and compassion.We’ve said it before — and today it’s more true than ever: Small towns aren’t just about buildings or backroads. They’re about people.And Susan Fisher is one of the best.Please welcome her to Small Towns Unscripted.

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