Rose Mary "Rosie" Broadway

Rose Mary “Rosie” Broadway, 83, of the Kansas City Northland, passed peacefully on February14, 2024, surrounded by family in her final days.

Rosie was born September 7, 1940, in Marshall, Missouri, the only child of James Harold McCorkle and Audrey (Mitchell) McCorkle. Her parents preceded her in death.  When Rosie was in grade school, her family purchased a 120-acre farm and moved from Marshall to Blackwater, Missouri. That move marked the beginning of a lifelong love of animals.  From stray cats and dogs to pet squirrels (Foxy) and even a chipmunk —Rosie could develop a special bond with them. And she loved them all.  But love isn’t always easy.  One dreadful summer day, Rosie’s dog, Ginger lost her back legs in a mowing accident.  Rosie’s dad rushed Ginger to the vet, and a few weeks after surgery, Ginger was chasing  rabbits again. Rosie also had a horse named Queenie. What began as a really mean horse continued to become meaner by the day, and Rosie’s dad grew increasingly afraid Rosie would get hurt. So mean-old-Queenie took a one way trip to the glue factory.  Times were hard on the farm at that time and during one bleak winter, Rosie’s pet goat, Nanny, added her contribution to the dinner table (unbeknownst to Rosie at the time). But love can sometimes shine through and have a good ending, even though the beginning appears far beyond dismal. One night, Rosie’s dad was checking on a new litter of piglets. During his inspection, he picked up one of the piglets and tossed it across the barn. Rosie asked him why, and he said it was dead. Rosie retrieved the baby and carried it to the house. She sat beside their stove all night, praying and trying to nurse the tiny piglet back to life. When morning came, Rosie showed the wiggling little pig to her father, and Meanie became a new family member.  Her years on the farm and her time spent with animals served her well later in life when she became a dog trainer. During those years, Rosie trained several of her own dogs up through the ranks, even to the ultimate level of Companion Dog.  

Rosie was united in marriage to Michael C. Broadway on July 7, 1972, at Bridal Cave in Camdenton, Missouri. On August 16, 1976, she and Michael founded Apple Design Corp (an advertising design and printing agency) in Overland Park, Kansas, where she managed the typesetting department and created illustrations. Rosie and Michael worked together for 20 years before they retired in 2011.  

Rosie leaves her husband of 51 years, Michael; children, Kandy Powers (Bert), Corky Roth (Gina), and Chad Michael Broadway (Carmen); nine grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren.  

A Celebration of Rosie’s Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to NorthCare Hospice House.

You may share a message with the family or sign an online guest book at www.parklawnfunerals.com. Arrangements: Park Lawn Northland Chapel (816)781-8228.