Rosemary Distifan, was born August 10, 1927 to Charles and Alice (Waddell) Middleton and died June 13, 2011 in Wichita, Kansas at the age of 83.
She and her sister Lucille were born with a genetic eye problem which resulted in their placement in the Kansas Schoool for the Blind in Kansas City for their elementary and secondary education. Both were good students. After completeing that education Rosemary returned to Wichtia where she graduated from Friends University. She was later employed as a medical transcriptionist for the State of Kansas in Topeka.
She married Frank Distifan, who was also visually impaired. Using the attitudes and the skills taught by their parents and schooling, they lived quite independently. Frank managed coffee shops and Rosemary became the social worker for the blind clients of Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services, where she, knowing their needs and the resources available, was able to assist them to reach their potential.
Frank died in 2001.
Rosemary retired after about fifty years of state employment. When Rosemary's eyesight deteriorated she obtaind a seeing eye dog from a business in Washinton, Kansas; that dog became frail and Rosemary travelled to New York to spend three weeks to acquaint herself with a second dog. The dogs were helpful in helping her remain ambulatory, until Rosemary's own health deteriorated and in November 2009 she entered the Kansas Masonic Home.
Her positive attitude and failure to complain made her many friends. She is survived by her sister, Lucille Parli of McKinney, Texas; 2 nephews, Steve and Frank Parli; longtime friend, Betty Spriggs, Wichita, Ks. and a host of other friends.
Graveside services will be beld Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at White Chapel Memorial Gardens.
Memorials have been designated to the Humane Society, 3313 N. Hillside, Wichita, KS. 67291