ExtraOrdinary Woman
MEET OUR ExtraOrdinary
WOMAN: Story written by Charlene Homan, EOW Board Member. Contributions were made by her nominator Barb Whiteman.
Rosemary serves as the president of Living Well United Senior Center, a grassroots organization that converted a closed-down Casey’s in LeRoy into a thriving senior center. She also serves on, the Mercy Ministries board, the J. T. Crumbaugh Library Board of Trustees, Coordinator of the Elizabeth J. Crumbaugh Assistance Program, Regent of the DeWitt Clinton Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, and as board president of the Empire Township Historical Museum. Rosemary’s influence is felt by every community member of every age. One in-progress project that she is assisting with unites the local food bank, churches, the LeRoy School Life Skills class, and the Living Well United Senior Center. With her leadership, the seniors created a healthy recipe book with ingredients generally found at the food pantry. They coordinate food drives when necessary and assemble the unprepared meals for distribution. Rosemary coordinated this creative initiative to help food pantry customers make the healthiest choices possible. Wearing a different hat, Rosemary
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ROSEMARY PARKER
helps Faith in Action reach out to small community residents who need assistance in driving to and from medical appointments. Rosemary is an assessor who visits those who request services from the nonprofit. A new initiative of Rosemary’s is in honor of her mother and father. “I know the toll it can take to care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Barb Whiteman and Rosemary created The Support Squad. Our goal is to offer a weekly service where caregivers can drop their loved ones off for some respite. I remember my father being overwhelmed at times and resorting to bringing my mother into the emergency room. I hope that by offering a small break, we can support our caregivers who support our loved ones,” Rosemary revels. “There is hardly a person in our rural communities who doesn’t know Rosemary and love her,” adds Barb. “So many have been positively influenced, inspired, and encouraged by her. She works so quietly behind the scenes, it’s as if she makes magic happen. In reality, she is sacrificing hours of time and tons of energy coordinating people/resources from past work and life
Limited Magazine | August 2022
experiences or diligently making new friends. Rosemary is always working for the greater good of others, and our communities benefit from her tenacity.” When not volunteering or working as a substitute teacher in reading recovery, Rosemary enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, Staci Riddle, and Deborah Klamrzynski, and six grandchildren, Jordan, a music teacher in the Fieldcrest District; Madison, a traveling nurse, Kaitlyn, a senior in high school; Peyton, a junior; Brooke, 7th grade, and Jack, 7th grade. Congratulations to Rosemary on being the ExtraOrdinary Women Project BN’s quarterly feature. We appreciate your dedication to our community! If you would like to nominate an extraordinary woman you know — even if it’s yourself! — please visit theextraordinarywomenprojectbn.org and fill out a nomination form.
