4800 E Indian School Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018
ZACHER, LORI ANN
Zacher, Lori, 45, of Phoenix passed away peacefully on July 1, 2018. She was born on August 12, 1972 in Omaha, Nebraska to Rollin and Ingrid Fickenscher. She attended Our Lady of Lourdes elementary school in Omaha alongside her brother Derek Fickenscher. She later went on to Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart where she graduated in 1990. An avid soccer player, gymnast, and track all-star, she was enshrined in the Duchesne Academy Hall of Fame for her athletic abilities. Legend has it that Duchesne was strictly an academic institution, until the advent of the speedster, “fast as a waterbug,” Lori Ann Fickenscher. Lori attended Creighton University in her native Omaha where she walked on to Creighton’s women’s soccer team and earned a scholarship. Wearing number eleven, Lori combined her gymnastic prowess with her soccer skills to popularize the flip-throw in, drawing an audience wherever she played. Lori contributed to Creighton’s most successful season in 1993 and graduated in 1994 with her bachelor’s degree in marketing. At Creighton, Lori met the love of her life Keith Gregory Zacher. Keith and Lori married in 1996 and made the most of their twenty-two years of passionate and dynamic marriage. Alongside her husband, Lori moved to Keith’s native Phoenix in 2002 to raise their family. The two have three beautiful children who were Lori’s true pride and joy–Matthew (b. 2000), Megan (b. 2001), and Thomas (b. 2006). Lori was considered a vibrant, active, and loving mother and friend to all who knew her. Never bashful or concealed, Lori opened herself up to each and every person she crossed paths with, and, as a result, has provided infinitely many with truly magical encounters and continuing connections. The generosity and energy of her spirit was unmatched, perhaps too frequently evidenced by her proclivity for dancing and singing with both friends dear and friends not yet made. No person was a stranger to Lori Ann Zacher: the life of our little Phoenician party. Never focused on herself and humbly committed to her role as a homemaker, Lori was brought to tears by the goodness and accomplishments of her children. Being mom to her three children will always be her most treasured purpose. Her son Matthew graduated from Brophy this spring and will attend his parents’ alma mater Creighton University in the fall, her daughter will be entering her junior year at Xavier, and her son Tommy moves on to the seventh grade next year at St. Theresa Catholic School. Unsurprisingly, Lori was a key player and contributor in each of these communities. Lori received the same fierce love that she effortlessly exuded and her sudden and tragic loss devastates many and shatters the core of our community. Her family and friends will never live the same. Lori is survived by husband, Keith (48), parents, Rollin (74) and Ingrid (68), sons, Matthew (18) and Thomas (12), daughter, Megan (16), brother, Derek (47), sisters-in-law, Julie, Lauren, and Kristin, brothers-in-law Rich, Michael, and Kevin, nephews, Daniel, John, Cole, Mark, Jacob, nieces, Catherine, Shannon, and Emily, uncles Kestutis, “Bernardo,” and David, countless cousins, and beloved (ish) dog Ringo. A Visitation and Rosary will be held from 6:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M., Monday, July 9, 2018 at Brophy Chapel, 4701 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Family to Family Foundation at www.familytofamilyfoundation.org, a cause close to her son Matthew that provides scholarships for the impoverished youth he met in El Salvador on a school trip last summer. Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
I am so sorry my family will be missing the services. We will be out of the country. Lori was a beautiful person, inside and out and will truly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family during this difficult time.
When I heard this devastating news, I immediately thought of Fick’s gorgeous smile and that GIGGLE!!!! that she so lovingly and openly shared with everyone she met. What an honor to have had the opportunity to play alongside her and witness not only her athletic talents but her beautiful heart. She was so loving and kind. My deepest sympathies to her beloved family; your pain and heartache I can not even imagine. You will forever be in my prayers.
I am so shocked to hear this news. I did not know Lori well but we competed against each other in Tennis, playing for different teams. I played against Lori the last two years and spectacularly lost each time. What I will always remember about Lori is what an incredibly gracious and funny winner she was. Her smile was quick and she had a lightness about her. She was truly a joy to compete against.
Keith and kids,
We were shocked and so saddened to hear about the sudden passing of Lori. You all are a beautiful family inside and out and we are proud to call you our friends.
Our hearts are just broken for you. We will keep all of you and especially sweet Lori in our prayers. May God bless you and keep your family in his loving embrace.
My sincere sympathies to the Zacher family. It is hard to understand why a loss of this magnitude has to occur, especially at such a young age. I am thinking of you all in your time of loss.
I am so saddened, Matthew ~
My memory of your vibrant mother is a blazing one: that day in May when your parents came to school to see you get that Magis Award at the BCP Spring Awards Assembly. She was vitality incarnate, beautiful and sunny, especially when I told her you were “The Zacher who got away.” I know her spirit surrounds you, your dad, sister, and brother and, of course, John , indeed with all your extended family, with love and grace.
“Consolation springs from sources deeper far than deepest suffering.”
–William Wordsworth
Love, Ms. K
Keith and family-
My heartfelt condolences to you for your loss.
May the many memories of Lori’s time here with you be a constant reminder of her love.
I will keep you in my prayers during this difficult time.
Harvey Roney
We are heartbroken by the loss of such a bright light. We looked forward to seeing Lori every time she visited Omaha, she was always so nice. We are praying for Lori and all her sweet family everyday.
Dear Zacher Family,
I was so sad to hear of the passing of your loved one, Lori. My heart aches for you. Please accept my sincere condolences. You are so fortunate to have the love and support of friends and family at this difficult time. Lori sounds like a lovely person. I wish you peace and serenity and the tincture of time.
My dearest sympathies to Keith, your children, Lori’s parents, brother and all she touched. I was so blessed to play alongside such a talented, happy, and loving person. Her huge smile, giggle, and friendliness will be very missed.
To Lori’s families and friends….We are so saddened to hear about your devastating and shocking loss. Please accept the Kreitzman family’s condolences and prayers for your peace and strength.
Keith, kids and the entire Zacher family,
There simply are no words we can offer you to lessen your tragic and sudden loss but know you all are in our thoughts and prayers. As you Zachers well know, the loss of someone with ties to our close “Catholic Ghetto,” is the loss of family to us all and tests our faith again and again. Lori’s presense and memory will endure as you will. Stay strong and never hesitate to reach out in times struggle. Much love,
Michael, Jan and the Sheedy Clan
Please accept our condolences from the Ellin Family,, we are deeply sorry for your losses and will offer prayer for the family and the children as they go through this hard time
With great sympathy and sorrow for your loss. We knew Lori and Matthew through Boys Team Charity. She was such a selfless giving person. Such a huge loss. We are so very sorry.
Lori was truly one of the most beautiful souls. We are so sad to learn of your loss. Please know that our hearts and prayers are with your family during this devastating time.
Dear family and friends of Lori, you know what a special light Lori was (and will continue to be) for everyone.
I was on a track team with her at Duchesne–outstanding athlete, mostly due to her spirit of good sportmanship and in the way that she was always drawing others to follow in her way . . . . a true team player, assertive and competitive and reaching to do her best to contribute to the overall team’s achievements, while never leaving a fellow team member behind. She really was such an inspiration to me. She will always remind me to live each day to its fullest and to use the gifts that God has given to me.
Rest in peace, Lori.
Eileen (Fitzgerald) McKinstra
Keith, I didn’t know Lori well, but she struck me as a wonderful person when I met her 25 years ago My heart goes out to you and your family for your loss. I will keep you all in my prayers for strength during such a difficult time. God bless you.
Dear Zacher Family,
You have our deepest condolences on the loss of beautiful Lori, and we are holding you in our hearts in your grief.
The Palmers
Mary & Rob, Elizabeth, Jennifer & Kate
Dear Zacher Family,
Our hearts are saddened by your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love & Peace,
Phyllis & Grace Drumm