Melita Sefren was a fighter when it came to issues concerning the blind. She was so compassionate because in 1968 she had lost her own sight. Sefren introduced many blind and visually impaired people to the Radio Talking Book of Nebraska, for which she served on the board of directors. "She was a lady that would get involved with any activities for the blind," said Dick Zlab, the station manager and announcer for Radio Talking Book of Nebraska. "She wouldn't give up."
Sefren, a native of Grand Forks, Minnesota, died of heart failure Sunday at the Nebraska Medical Center. She was 79. She grew up in Omaha and graduated from Technical High School in the mid 1940's. Sefren worked at Brandeis during and briefly after high school. There, she met her husband, Donald H. Sefren. He preceded her in death.
During the early to late 1960's, she did accounting work for the general manager at one of the first McDonald's locations, at 24 & Cuming. In 1968 she lost her sight due to an optic nerve damage. Adjustment was difficult at first, but after getting involved with the Omaha Association of the Blind she began to flourish in her recovery.
"Both myself and my sister were encouraged by her ability to adapt - learning to clean, iron and write her own checks," said her son, Mark Sefren of Omaha. "I was flabbergasted by how quickly she adjusted. "Other survivors include her daughter, Debra Veylupek of Omaha, three grand children and four great grandchildren.