[nfbmi-talk] Announcement Of The Passing Of Ms. Daphne Tinder-O'Brien

[Kane Brolin]

Greetings to all members and friends of the National Federation of the
Blind of Michiana.

One of the least pleasant things I do as chapter president is to
announce the death of a loyal member.  Today marks the second time I
have made such an announcement in the last half a year.  But alas,
this must be done.

Daphne Margaret Tinder-O'Brien, an active member of NFB Michiana since
2015, died peacefully at her family's home in South Bend, Indiana,
early on the morning of Wednesday, May 10, 2017.  She had just turned
20 years of age.  She is survived by her mother Rosemarie
Tinder-O'Brien of South Bend; sister Olivia Tinder of Fort Wayne; a
baby nephew named Cason, living in Fort Wayne; and various aunts and
uncles.  For those who live in our region and wish to pay formal
respects, a viewing is to be held at 1:00 PM and a requiem mass at
2:00 PM on Thursday, May 18.  The location is

 St. David's Episcopal Church
26804 C.R. 4
Elkhart, Indiana

To read the formal obituary or to write something in the electronic
guest book, visit
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/southbendtribune/obituary.aspx?n=daphne-margaret-tinder-obrien&pid=185376381&.

It is very touching that Daphne's mother Rose is asking for any and
all memorial donations to be given to the National Federation of the
Blind of Michiana in Daphne's honor.

Exact cause of death is unknown.  But Daphne lived with a life-long
condition known as autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome.  Complications
from that syndrome caused Daphne to undergo frequent hospitalization,
since she had suffered multiple episodes of hypoglycemia, pneumonia,
and even kidney failure.  All this prevented her from completing a
normal high school track.  Yet Daphne was much more than her disease.
When I spoke with her less than four days before her unexpected
passing, at a chapter meeting, Daphne was excited to be studying for
the General Educational Development (GED) exam, which she intended to
pass in September.  She was looking forward to continuing on to
college, where her goal was to become an art history professor.

Attending the Diamond Anniversary National Convention of the National
Federation of the Blind in Orlando, Florida, was a highlight of
Daphne's all-too-short life.  It was at that incredible event in 2015
that Daphne found acceptance from new friends who hailed from all over
the country, went dancing, went to Sea World, ate lots of great
seafood, and reveled in the feeling of being a very typical teenager,
forgetting for a moment about all the physical challenges that so
frequently dominated her life.

Daphne Tinder O'Brien never let blindness or any other physiological
condition hold her back.  She lived passionately and never lost faith
in herself or love for those around her. Although her body was often
uncooperative with what she asked it to do, her spirit never lost
either its strength or its sweetness.

Daphne Tinder-O'Brien, all of us in NFB Michiana miss you and will
reflect often on your memory. Our loss is heaven's gain.

Respectfully,

Kane Brolin, President
Michiana Chapter, National Federation Of The Blind