Rose Ellen Lehman
June 29, 1915 – January 20, 2011
Rose Ellen Lehman was born in Philadelphia, PA to Mary and Thomas DeFalcis on June 20, 1915. She died peacefully on January 20, 2011, at Covenant Shores on Mercer Island, WA. Rosie had lived on Mercer Island for 25 years, with the last 7 years at Covenant Shores Retirement Community. Rosie grew up and lived in Philadelphia until, at age 70, after being widowed for the second time, she moved to Mercer Island to live with her younger daughter, Joy Dunne, and her family. While playing cards at the local Senior Center, she made many new friends. Among them was Sandy Lehman, a longtime Mercer Island resident, also recently widowed. Sandy and Rosie married in 1991. Rosie loved her family and friends, dogs, the zoo, gardens, plants, trees, flowers, travel, and learning. While living on the Island, she volunteered her book keeping and retail expertise to help out at the Thrift Shop, became treasurer for the local chapter of AARP, and spent many happy hours with family and friends. She had a positive outlook on life, and was an independent, liberal thinker. Rosie loved family and friends unconditionally. She is survived by: adult children and step children: Carol Kiparsky (Ian Irwin) of Palo Alto, CA, Joy Dunne (John) of Mercer Island, WA, Ron Lehman (Barbara) of Lacy, WA, Ross Lehman (Laurie) of Mercer island, WA, Caroline Lehman of Olympia, WA; grand-children Rebecca Dunne (Hayden Neville), Daniel Dunne (Courtney), Michael Kiparsky (Erica Bree), Jonathan Kiparsky (Nadia Dixon), Melissa Cornwell (Jeff), Greg Lehman, Jennifer Paulson, Michelle Schulz (Randy), Bill Lehman (Jamie), Mark (Stacey), Sandy Lehman (Patty), Kari McBride (Mike), 18 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, three husbands (Frank Acker, John Cantwell, and Sandy Lehman), all 6 of her siblings, stepson Richard Lehman, and many friends. The family would like to thank the staff at Covenant Shores Reflections Unit for their excellent care of Rosie for 6 years. Memorial service and celebration of her life will be held on March 26th, at 1 PM, at Covenant Shores Fellowship Hall, 9150 Fortuna Drive, Mercer Island, WA In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in her memory to Mercer Island Youth and Family Services, 2040- 84th Ave. SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040, or the Mercer Island Parks and Recreation department, earmarked for use in programs for Senior Citizens, 2040-84th Ave. SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040. To read a more complete obituary, please go to http://www.funerals.coop
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