Bits And Pieces

Her Life

Betty Mae Fischer Ainslie

     It started in Cleveland. Ohio, and she was born there on July 19, 1916, at St. Luke's Hospital.  Her parents, Otto and Clara Fischer, lived in the Cleveland area most of their lives and Otto was employed by Lorain Steel, later to become part of U.S. Steel.  He traveled Ohio and nearby states selling steel rails and steel grinding balls.  They had a comfortable home on Archwood Avenue, not far from his mother and sister, and Clara's two sisters.  Clara's brother worked in the Treasury Printing facility in Washington, D.C.

     The Fischers were expecting a boy but Betty got even by coming fanny first to the great distress of Mother and perhaps, Father also.  Whether that backwards exit was a factor or cause is not known, but Betty was an only child.  She was not really spoiled but was the only baby in the maternal side of the family since one of her aunts, May, never married and the other, Ruth, though married, never had any children.  Otto's sister and her husband had two daughters but there didn't seem to be a close relationship between that family and the three sisters.

     Her childhood was not unusual except in birthday and Christmas gifts area.  She was the center of attention at every family gathering and much love and care was showered upon her.  She was baptized in the Congregational Church where the family attended, not far from their home.

     Brookside Park was within walking distance of 3804 Archwood and Betty enjoyed many picnics and 4th of July fireworks there, being carried home as a young child on her Father's shoulders.

     She attended Denison Elementary and West Junior High and High School as an average student but enjoying all classes except Biology and Math.  She had many friends but Georgia and Noreen were special.  In high school, she worked on the student weekly and thus got her start in her chosen field, journalism.