We honor here members, friends and supporters of the American Council of the Blind who have impacted our lives in many wonderful ways. If you would like to submit a notice for this column, please include as much of the following information as possible.
Name (first, last, maiden if appropriate)
City of residence (upon passing)
State/province of residence (upon passing)
Other cities/states/countries of residence (places where other blind people may have known this person)
Occupation
Date of death (day if known, month, year)
Age
ACB affiliation (local/state/special-interest affiliates or national committees)
Deaths that occurred more than six months ago cannot be reported in this column.
Mitzi Friedlander
Reprinted from “The Louisville Courier-Journal,” August 13, 2021
Mitzi Friedlander, 91, passed away on Aug. 11, 2021. Mitzi was a performer (actress and singer), narrator of Talking Books, social activist, teacher, mentor and friend to many across Louisville. Her light brightened many rooms and lives. She loved big parties with friends, especially the legendary Friedlander Christmas parties. She is enshrined in the Atherton Hall of Fame, a U of L Alumni award winner, and is an American Foundation for the Blind Alexander Scourby Awardee for excellence in narration. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years (William), and is survived by her daughter Fadel Fulkerson (Greg) and her son Eric (Indigo).
A memorial party was held Aug. 21st. Mitzi was also celebrated during the regular Sunday Eucharist at Christ Church Cathedral on Aug. 22nd. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Mitzi’s honor to Christ Church Cathedral, 421 S. 2nd St., Louisville, KY 40202; Louisville Interfaith Paths to Peace, 2500 Montgomery St., Louisville, KY 40212; or the American Printing House for the Blind, 1839 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, KY 40206. For a full remembrance, please visit www.pearsonfuneralhome.com.
Terry Camardelle
Sept. 23, 1945- Sept. 5, 2021
by Dan Sippl
As Terry was a very humble, unselfish, caring pillar of society, I thought that I should write something of his accomplishments for those who may not have had the opportunity to know of his leadership and philanthropy through his entire life.
Terry is a very humble giant in society who touched the hearts, souls and lives of thousands of people, with emphasis on our blindness and visually impaired community. Terry was born a visually impaired child during World War II, which denied him the opportunity for a full formal education as we know it today. This gave him the inspiration to be a better human being and humanitarian.
Terry started his work life very early, assisting in the care of other family members, particularly his niece, whom we all have come to know as Kim Venable. He married his teen love of life, Bonnie, who carried the same unselfish and supporting ideals to the blindness community.
As Terry worked at a local Bingo hall, he was able to assist the blindness organizations of Louisiana to purchase the hall as a way to improve the lives of other blind and visually impaired in the state and nationally via the Louisiana Council of the Blind, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of Louisiana and the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America. As a Randolph-Sheppard vendor, he was able to support his family and the various blindness organizations he believed in and, along with his family’s full support, accepted leadership roles so others could improve their lives in a sighted world.
Terry had the unique ability to find time to help others have a better life. His commitment to children was unparalleled. With the assistance of the blindness organizations, he supported and coordinated annual Christmas parties for all of the children attending the Louisiana School for the Blind by bringing them together for an evening of fun while assuring that each received a Christmas present.
Terry’s endless hours of managing the Bingo hall for the blindness organizations allowed those organizations to assist members in attending ACB’s annual conferences.
Terry and his family’s commitment to children led him to accept leadership roles in the Shriners, thereby allowing his philanthropic personality to extend to all children.
Terry’s humble and unselfish personality never expected nor even desired any acknowledgement or recognition for his philanthropic ideals.
Terry was a religious man, but never carried it on his shoulder. He simply lived by its virtue. He had a deep understanding of right and wrong.
Please join me in extending our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to Bonnie and their daughters, along with Kim and Tommy Venable and their entire family.