Rosemarie DeHaven of Inglis House, Philadelphia, and formerly a long time resident of Downingtown, passed way peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Thursday October 2, 2014 at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood. She was 61.

Born in Philadelphia she was the beloved daughter of the late James J. and Rita D. Mastropietro DeHaven.

Rosemarie attended the W.E. Martin and Archbishop Ryan Schools for the deaf. She later relocated, along with her parents, to Downingtown, PA. Although Rosemarie was forced to confront numerous challenges from the time she was born, she enjoyed life to the fullest. She was proficient with puzzles, had the opportunity to travel to many destinations with her family and also was a dedicated fan of the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles, always willing to let them know when she approved or disapproved of how they were playing. In recent years Rosemarie also took part in the Special Olympics in Philadelphia and enjoyed competing and earning numerous medals.

Perhaps most of all, Rosemarie will be remembered for her beautiful smile, loving spirit and her effortless ability to inspire all those around her to live life to the fullest regardless of disability or challenges. She will be dearly missed.

Rosemarie is survived by her siblings, James DeHaven of Buffalo, NY, Ellen McLoone and her husband, Peter, of Glenside, PA and Mary DeHaven of Wake Forest , NC; her nieces and nephews, Christopher McLoone and his wife, Jennifer of Glenside, Susan Murray and her husband, Tom, of Wilmington, DE, Tara Gibble and her husband, Ben, of Wayne, Timothy McLoone and his partner, Michael, of New Hope, Megan Cahill of Houston, TX and Siobhan Cahill of Wake Forest, NC . She also leaves behind her great-nieces and nephews, Owen, Sean and Ian McLoone, Thomas Murray, and Morgan and Sadie Gibble as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family on Monday October 6, 2014 from 10 AM until her Funeral Mass 11 AM in the chapel at St. Joseph’s Church, 460 Manor Ave., Downingtown, PA 19335. Int. will follow in the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Inglis House, 2600 Belmont Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19131 or to United Cerebral Palsy of Philadelphia, 102 E. Mermaid Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19118.