Rosemary Wieler Fudali

LAKEVILLE — Rosemary Wieler Fudali, 89, died peacefully at her home in Lakeville on Dec. 4, 2017. 

Rosemary (known as “Rosie” to her friends) was born on Jan. 23, 1928, in Hartford, Conn., the daughter of Mary Archer Cole and Dr. Harry Julius Wieler.  

Growing up at The Hotchkiss School, Rosemary’s passion for learning, reading and languages was shaped early on. She attended Town Hill School, Emma Willard School and Smith College, where she earned her B.A. in German in 1949. In addition to German, Rosemary studied Latin, Italian  and Norwegian, and she used her affinity for learning foreign languages to help those in need. 

After the war, Rosemary volunteered at a children’s home in Bad Rothenfelde, a British Occupation Zone in Northern Germany, where she helped displaced children find homes. It was there that she met Joseph Fudali, a Polish DP, also volunteering, who would eventually become her husband. 

Rosemary and Joseph married on Dec. 16, 1950, in Manchester, NH and returned to Lakeville in 1952. They lived on Elm Street where they eventually opened Fudali Galleries, a frame shop and art gallery, and raised their two children, Peter and Mary Lou. 

Rosemary was a dedicated humanitarian/volunteer and active member of the Lakeville community throughout her life. She was a SWSA director; worked and served on the board of OWL’s Kitchen food bank; was a long-time member of the Salisbury Republican Town Committee; was a member of the Salisbury Rotary Club; and served as a president of the Salisbury Lions Club. 

For 17 years, Rosemary was a member of the Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Service where she trained to EMT-I level, was one of the first three members to complete National Registry Certification, was a Red Cross First Aid instructor, a CPR instructor, an EMT instructor  and was a long-time member of the SVAS Board of Trustees. She additionally volunteered for 20 years in the emergency room at Sharon Hospital. 

Rosemary was an avid skier and an accomplished tennis player. A loving, learned and selfless woman, she delighted in spending time with her family. 

She is survived by her son, Peter and his wife, Rhona, and their children, Arick, Chad and Kaela, who will particularly miss Christmas holidays, enlightening conversations and competitive games of Scattergories with her. 

Rosemary was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Fudali; her daughter, Mary Lou Fudali; and her sister, Nancy Wright.

Per Rosemary’s wishes, services will be private. Memorial contributions in Rosemary’s memory may be made to the Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 582, Salisbury, CT 06068; www.salisburyambulance.org.

The Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon has care of arrangements.