Rosemary Fagrelius
Co-Founder Highland Friendship Club
Rosemary Fagrelius is a devoted mother of three grown sons, a proud grandmother of three, and wife to Stuart Fagrelius. Her journey as an advocate began when her oldest son, John, survived an extreme case of spinal meningitis at just 13 months old, leaving him with significant cognitive and physical disabilities.
Since that time, Rosemary has been deeply committed to ensuring inclusion for John in every aspect of life in St. Paul. Alongside her close friend Pat Leseman—also a mother of a son with disabilities—she co-founded the Highland Friendship Club over 23 years ago.
Today, the Highland Friendship Club provides teens and adults with disabilities a welcoming place to build friendships, develop new skills, and stay actively connected to their community. The organization offers a wide range of programs, including fitness, art, music, walking clubs, and numerous weekly activities designed to enrich lives and foster belonging.
