Dolores "Dolly" Remedios (Ritschard) Fischer

Dolores “Dolly” Remedios (Ritschard) Fischer peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on Saturday, March 1, 2026 at Southfield Village in South Bend.

Dolly was born on January 11, 1936, to Frederick and Remedios (Ojanguren) Ritschard. She was the youngest of four children and the only daughter, a position she embraced fully, developing a sparkling sense of humor, a love of fun and adventure, and what can only be described as a delightfully “fun-sized princess” attitude.

Dolly was immensely proud of her Swiss and Spanish heritage and often spoke of her many adventures traveling to Switzerland to visit family. In 2017, she shared that love by taking ten members of her immediate family on a trip to Switzerland, an adventure which began immediately upon landing in Zurich. While taking advantage of the airport’s wheelchair service, Dolly was somehow escorted to the wrong meeting place and ended up parked in a garage for over an hour while her family searched frantically for her. Dolly, although somewhat upset of course embraced that the adventure had simply begun.

The excitement continued when the family boarded a train to their hotel in Interlaken, guided by Dolly’s Swiss cousin. A transfer to a second train was required, and as the family hurried aboard, the doors closed just before Dolly could step on. In disbelief, her family watched as she was left standing calmly on the platform. At the next stop, her quick-thinking cousin jumped on a train back to retrieve her, only to find Dolly waiting with her trademark electric smile, completely unfazed. In Swiss German, she reportedly announced she needed a drink and the adventure carried on.

In August 1961, Dolly married Emery “Jim” S. Fischer, proudly transitioning from Princess to Queen B. Together through nearly fifty years of adventure Dolly and Jim raised three sons and built a life filled with laughter, friendships, card parties, and lakeside cookouts. If there was music playing, Dolly was dancing. If there were cards on the table, she was playing to win.

Dolly loved life and she lived it enthusiastically. She adored parties, dancing, and time spent around a card table with friends. Known affectionately as “Dolly Mamma” to many, she thrived on adventure, storytelling, laughter, and creating cherished memories with family and friends. She had a gift for turning ordinary moments into unforgettable ones.

Dolly was preceded in death by her beloved son Jimmy; her husband Jim; her parents; and her brothers Don, Carmello, and Fred.

She is survived by her sons Gary (Melanie) and Mark (Elaine); her sister-in-laws Peggy Ritschard and Sharon Fischer; her grandchildren Mark Fischer Jr., Joshua (Monica) Fischer, Jason (Taylor) Fischer, Brooke (Rusty) Higgins, Bailey (Zach) Zalas, and Jimmy Fischer; and her great-grandchildren Leorah and Mia Fischer, Tessa Fischer, Willow and Azalea Zalas; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Dolly maintained countless special friendships and continued playing cards regularly — because as far as she was concerned, life was better with good friends, a full hand, a stiff drink, and a good story to tell.

Her legacy is one of laughter, resilience, adventure, and love — preferably shared with a drink in hand and a card game to catch.

Visitation for Dolly will be held from 1:00pm-4:00pm Saturday, March 14, 2026 at St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S Mayflower Rd, South Bend, IN 46619. Dolly will be laid to rest at Hungarian Sacred Heart Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Dolores “Dolly” Remedios (Ritschard) Fischer may be made out to Center For Hospice, 501 Comfort Pl, Mishawaka, IN 46545.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.