Pueblo County, Colorado
Sacred Heart Orphanage


Contributed by the Pueblo County Volunteers.

Sacred Heart Orphanage – May 1, 1903 – At least 1968

In 1903, under the guidance of then-Pueblo Chieftain owner John Lambert, a handful of Franciscan Sisters established the Sacred Heart Orphanage at 2315 Sprague.

The Sacred Heart Orphanage at Pueblo sheltering 150 children, owes its existence and partial endowment to the generosity of Captain John J. Lambert of Pueblo, an exemplary Catholic prominent in works of charity and zeal. The English language is generally used, but in many of the mining districts and industrial centers there is a necessity for the Italian and Slav languages, while Spanish is usually spoken in the southern parishes.

Pueblo Indicator 8-15-1914 – Arrangements are made to take care of a large crowd at Lake Minnequa Park next Wednesday, August 19th, when the annual picnic for the benefit of the Sacred Heart Orphanage will be held. The ladies who have the preparations in charge, have made elaborate plans for a good time for the big crowd who will attend. It's the annual benefit for this most worthy institution and should be liberally patronized.

From Ninth Biennial Report of the State Board of Charities and Corrections For the Biennial Period Ending November 30, 1908, by Colorado State Board of Charities and Corrections, published by The Smith-Brooks Printing Co., State Printers, Denver, Colorado, 1909:
List of hospitals, private, semi-private and charitable orphanages, relief societies, charity organizations, neighborhood house, etc., etc. Hospitals, etc., Pueblo County:
Sacred Heart Orphanage, Pueblo
During this year this institution has cared for one hundred children; of this number, eighteen were free, and twenty-three partly paying. Value of property used for corporate purposes, $40,000. Value of real estate in lots, $10,000. This orphanage is managed by the Deaconess', an order in the Methodist Episcopal Church, who do charitable work.

1905 Directory
Sisters of St. Francis in charge page 462
John Huber gardener page 264

1911 Directory
Sisters St Francis in charge, Sprague and Brown avs.

1913 Directory
Franciscan Sisters in charge page 340
Edward Hildenbrandt engineer page 190
Rev Patrick J Phelan chaplain page 303
David Smith barn man page 359

1914 Directory
Franciscan Sisters in charge page 244
Edward Hildebrandt engineer page 276
Rev Patrick J Phelan chaplain page 378

1919 Directory
Edward Hildenbrandt yardman page 306

1921 Directory
Franciscan Sisters in charge page 289
Rev Patrick J Phelan chaplain page 257
Omar Savage barn man page 293
Rev Eugene Vilmure chaplain page 340
John Williams laborer page 354

1923 Directory
Franciscan Sisters in charge page 127

1930 Directory
Franciscan Sisters in charge page 170
Rev Patrick J Phelan chaplain page 305
Cornelius Edmondson engineer page 154

1948 Directory
Franciscan Sisters in charge page 144
Rev John B Liciotti chaplain page 235
Coy Boyles caretaker page 56
Thomas Hadley engineer page 171

National Registry of Historic Places on the South Side of the Arkansas River
Sacred Heart Orphanage, 2316 Sprague Street - 1902 Style: Romanesque Revival
Former officer at Fort Reynolds and third owner of the Colorado Chieftain, John T. Lambert was the major sponsor of the orphanage. The orphanage formally opened May 1, 1903. Operated by the Franciscan sisters, Sister May Doneta was responsible for the building plans. The average yearly occupancy of the orphanage was between 150 and 160, even though the capacity was only 135. Funds were scarce. Daily, the sisters went door-to-door (often to rural areas) begging for food and clothing for the children.

Pueblo Star Journal – 1-1-1910 Program At Orphanage Is Greatly Enjoyed - The annual entertainment of the Sacred Heart Orphanage was held yesterday. There was a large attendance and the program was greatly enjoyed by the visitors. The children did themselves and the sisters of the orphanage great credit and the splendid program was rendered in an excellent manner. The program included a comedy sketch. “The Millionaire Tramp,” in which the leading characters were: Eddie Mills, Samuel Burris, Joe Hopko, John Mc Carthy, W. Drinkard. U. Burris and M. Shepherd. The Cantata, “Quarrel Among The Flowers,” was given by J. Corey, L Fields, M. Mc Carthy, J. Jenkins, L. Rigby, L. Bass, J. Jones, P. Hughes, E. Shepherd, N. Rings, and A. Hopko. An excellent musical program was also given.

Pueblo Indicator 3-22-1913 – Bessemer Briefs – Tag Day last Saturday was a success and the Sacred Heart Orphanage has $860 clear, as a result of the hard day's work of the women and children who volunteered their services for the worthy cause.

Pueblo Indicator 7-26-1913 – Next Thursday, July 31st, the annual picnic for the benefit of Sacred Heart Orphanage, will take place at Lake Minnequa Park. It will be an all day and evening affair with something doing all the time. A great many tickets have been sold and a good sum is assured for the worthy cause.

Pueblo Indicator 8-2-1913 – The picnic at Lake Minnequa park Thursday for the benefit of Sacred Heart Orphanage, was a splendid success. All day and evening the park was lively with youngsters, and older ones also, playing games and amusements of all kinds. The entire proceeds of the park and concessions were given to the orphanage, where some two hundred little ones are cared for.

Pueblo Indicator 3-14-1914 – The ladies having in charge the annual sale of green ribbons for the benefit of Sacred Heart orphanage will have a large number of assistants all over the city bright and early next Tuesday morning, St. Patrick's day. The ribbon bows of green are appropriate to the day and will be sold for a donation of whatever sum the giver feels like giving, as is the usual custom.

Pueblo Indicator 3-21-1914 – For the Orphans – A lot of South Side money came over to this side in the Y. M. C. A. contributions, and this week the North Side got back at the enemy by sending several hundred buffalo nickels to Sacred Heart Orphanage for St. Patrick celebration. This is a good way to keep up sectionalism.
Pueblo Indicator 8-15-1914 – Arrangements are made to take care of a large crowd at Lake Minnequa Park next Wednesday, August 19th, when the annual picnic for the benefit of the Sacred Heart Orphanage will be held. The ladies who have the preparations in charge, have made elaborate plans for a good time for the big crowd who will attend. It's the annual benefit for this most worthy institution and should be liberally patronized.
Pueblo Indicator 3-13-1915 – Tag Day March 17 – Sacred Heart Orphanage Will Pin a Shamrock on You Then – The McClelland orphanage and the Colored orphanage have had their tag days and now comes the Sacred Heart orphanage with another tag day on March 17 – St. Patrick's day, by the way, and the shamrock will be the tag to be worn. It is a good custom and should be encouraged. Too often business men and men in public life are made to bear the expense incident to such occasions. They are besieged by committees from this and that society or organization to help out with dance, charity, benefit and other funds, while the average citizen escapes, but with the tag plan it is different. Everybody in sight is canvassed, and small sums of from 5 cents to 25 cents – not often exceeding 25 cents – collected. It is a fair way to do, and as the orphanages are largely dependent upon public charity, they should all be assisted generously.
Pueblo Indicator 1-8-1916 – Noted Newspaper Man Dead – Captain J. J. Lambert, founder and publisher of the Chieftain for a great many years, died at his home in this city January 5 after a prolonged illness, and thus passed away one of the venturesome pioneer newspaper men of Colorado. He was born at Wexford, Ireland in 1837, came to this country when ten years of age, became a printer five years later, joined the Union army in 1863, was commissioned a captain of the Ninth Iowa cavalry two years later, joined the regular U.S. army in 1867, founded the Pueblo Chieftain in 1869 and was at the head of the company until 1903. In 1903 he founded the Sacred Heart orphanage and gave to it liberally of his wealth. Captain Lambert was one of those genteel, kindly disposed, benevolent and sympathetic type of Irishmen who have helped to make the land of their birth famous for its hospitality, its courage and its enterprise, its deep and lasting friendships. He had learned early in life to master himself and this valuable lesson was of great assistance to him in his enterprising career later on as a published and employer. He was always helpful and loyal to Pueblo and all who knew him well were his friends. Note: He was buried in Roselawn Cemetery in Pueblo, Colorado.
Pueblo Indicator 3-15-1922 – Tag Day for Orphanage – Saturday, March 15, is tag day for the Sacred Heart orphanage and an army of willing workers is getting ready to sell shamrocks on the streets. The volunteers will also invade places of business and sell the "Dear little shamrock, the sweet little shamrock" in the cause of humanity. The orphanages must be supported largely through public charity and the citizens of Pueblo are very liberal in assisting in the worthy cause.
Pueblo Chieftain 5-13-1924 Funeral of Sister M. Damiana will be announced later by T.G. McCarthy & Sons, the interment will be in the Orphanage cemetery.
Pueblo Indicator 11-15-1930 News From Sacred Heart Orphanage – Through the kindness and generosity of Mr. Charles Carara the three altars in the Sacred Heart Orphanage have been redecorated with enamel and gold bronze. The Sisters are very grateful to Mr. Carara. Mrs. M. Sterner, Mrs. F. Mullahy and Mrs. E.M. Scott of the Ladies Aid Society are very busy soliciting votes for the Sacred Heart Orphanage in the "European Tours Campaign". Their help is sincerely appreciated by the Sisters. A kind invitation is hereby extended to all who are interested in the orphanage to purchase at the appointed stores and turn over their votes to Mrs. M. Sterner of the Sacred Heart Orphanage. Call 704 for information. Mrs. M. Pryor and Mrs. F. Lassen, together with their kind friends have purchased pretty little tams for the girls of S.H.O. The girls are delighted with their new and stylish barets. Hearty thanks to the kind donors. The sisters also wish to extend cordial thanks to the Pueblo branch Needlework Guild for the liberal shower of useful and well selected garments sent to the orphanage last Friday. May God bless each contributor. We assure you that this beneficence is sincerely appreciated. Many thanks to Jagger Produce for supplying the orphanage with fruit and vegetables in abundance. Some folks have a notion that orphanage children are underfed. This is impossible in the case of Mr. Jagger's friends, since he is providing generously for the orphans. Through the courtesy and kindness of Mr. Frank Hoag of the Star-Journal the children and the Sisters of Sacred Heart Orphanage enjoyed the delightful program given by the Marine band at the city auditorium on November 1. We wish to thank Mr. Hoag for this exceptional treat.
Pueblo Indicator 1-8-1931 – Sacred Heart Orphanage Gives Thanks – The Sisters and the Children of the Sacred Heart Orphanage wish to express their sincerest thanks to all their kind friends who have helped to make Christmas so pleasant at the Orphanage, with their liberal donations which have been showered upon them during the past weeks. We want each one of our kind friends to know that these gifts were immensely appreciated and more especially at this particular time when there is so much need prevalent and so many poor are calling for help. To us this is a clear proof that our friends have made a real sacrifice to help us and we are happy to notice that the sisters at the orphanage are enjoying the cooperation of the public in the work they are trying to do for the most helpless. It is also very gratifying to see the interest our good friends take in providing gifts of all kinds for the children in our charge and we trust that the donors were just as happy as the recipients on the great feast of Christmas when the whole world celebrates the birth of Jesus, the God-man, who gave Himself to mankind as a Savior of the human race. We also wish to express our sincere thanks to the Crusaders and the Pueblo Choral Club for the enjoyable programs of Christmas eve and the Pueblo Musicians Association and Santa Claus who entertained on December 29th with a most delightful program and distributed all sorts of good things to the entire audience. To each one of our good, kind friends we extend our very best wishes for a most happy and prosperous New Year together with every blessing from on High for their health and happiness here and here after. Gratefully, The Franciscan Sisters and Children of the Sacred Heart Orphanage. We thank you, Sister M. Dionysia, Superior.
Pueblo Indicator 8-26-1933 – Free Dental Service For Children of Sacred Heart Orphanage – The Sisters are exceedingly grateful to Dr. D. L. Watkins for the careful attention he has given the children's teeth ever since his coming to Pueblo. He has cared for more than sixty children since December last and is very anxious to see all who need attention before the opening of school, Sept. 5. Besides the free dental attention each child is treated to ice cream or candy so that all are desirous to have their turn come often. Dr. Pattee is planning to remove tonsils and adenoids for several of the children before the fifth of September. A vote of thanks to Dr. Pattee from each one of us at the orphanage, for we know what it means to the child to get this attention which comes to us through the kindness of Dr. Woodbridge and Miss McClane of the Child Welfare clinic. We wish them to know that their services are sincerely appreciated. Miss Ann Stark, R. N., stopped at the orphanage on her way to Pasadena, Calif., to visit with her cousin, Sister M. Morita, who recently underwent a spinal infusion at St. Mary's hospital, performed by Dr. Norman, orthopedic specialist. The operation was very successful and Sister is doing nicely though she must remain abed for some indefinite time. Miss Stark spent two weeks of her vacation in Appleton with her relatives and attended the marriage of her sister Margaret, R. N., to Mr. J. Mullen, assistant manager of the Geenan Dry Goods Co. of that city. She also visited friends in Milwaukee and the Century of Progress. Miss Hildegard Stark was graduated from the Nurses Training school of St. Joseph's hospital, Milwaukee, on August 16. This hospital is conducted by the same community of Franciscan Sisters in charge of the Sacred Heart orphanage. Ten of the Sisters enjoyed a drive through San Isabel Forest with Mr. Chas. Jasper and Mr. John Novack as chauffeurs. They visited the reforestation camps and were much impressed at the order and cleanliness in evidence there. – Sister M. Desideris.
Pueblo Indicator 11-6-1948 – Entertained – Children of Sacred Heart Orphanage were entertained Sunday afternoon by the Franciscan Troubadours. The group will give a program Nov. 7 at Colorado State Hospital.
Pueblo Chieftain 4-27-1991 – At 91, She Digs Her Work – Eileen Schaar is mad. She's mad because her memory is fading. She's mad because she can't scale canyons or crawl through caves. She's mad because she's "a little wobbly." "It does make me mad," she said of her limitations. "But when you get past 90, you shouldn't be doing these things." What Ms. Schaar would like to be doing is digging and exploring. As the oldest member of the Colorado Archaeological Society, she has spent nearly 50 years searching for clues about lifetimes past. Ms. Schaar, who will turn 91 this December, last took part in a dig about five years ago. But while her longtime passion has been curtailed, she has no plans to go gently into that good night. "I'm in excellent health," she said Friday. "I don't take any medicine. Not a thing. I don't even have a doctor." Her exposure to archaeology came in 1944. At the urging of friends, Ms. Schaar joined a cave excavation in the Canyon of the Tabequache, about nine miles from Nucla. The nine-person team, led by the late Dr. C.T. Hurst, lived in a tent colony for two weeks as they conducted the historic dig. The group found "the missing link between the Folsom culture (Early Man) of 10,000 years ago and that of the Basketmakers, who existed 1,600 years ago," said Ed Simonich, a member of the Pueblo Chapter of the state archaeological group and a close friend of Ms. Schaar. "It was quite a find." For Ms. Schaar, however, the memories of that dig are much more personal. "I found an arrowhead, a beautiful arrowhead," she said. "It was my first find. "I put it in my pocket to keep. Then I lost it. "Also, we were spread out in the cave, and I found a fabulous pink quartzite shelf. But I had gotten separated from the group and was so embarrassed to be lost, I didn't report the find." Ms. Schaar has taken part in countless digs and surveys since, including the Bandelier and Ghost Ranch survey in New Mexico; the Draper Cave excavation in Fremont County; and the Dave Fountain site excavation in southeastern Pueblo County, during which a 54-year-old aboriginal female, dating back to 350 AD, was removed and preserved for study. Most of her archaeological work has focused on American Indians, and her findings sadly have convinced her that, "We were awfully cruel to Indians. I donate a lot of money to various Indian causes, such as Indian schools. We treated them terribly." Ms. Schaar also was a pioneer in the Pueblo business community. She was the city's first dental hygienist, going to work for Dr. George Cramer in the 1920s after graduating from Denver University's dental program. "It was very different then," she said. "When we had an extraction, we gave them ether, did the work, then laid them out in the office until they came to." Ms. Schaar also was a charter member of the League Club of Pueblo Business and Professional Women, which was formed in July 1934. Her "wonderful life" wasn't always so. When she was 5 years old, her mother died. Unable to care for Ms. Schaar and her sister Ruby, John Schaar placed his children in the Sacred Heart Orphanage. Five years later, in 1910, Schaar managed to purchase a home and reclaim his daughters. Ms. Schaar retired in 1971 after a 50-year dental career. Besides her archaeological work, Ms. Schaar has spent most of her time helping fellow senior citizens, visiting them in their homes and working as a volunteer for the Senior Resource Development Agency, serving lunches. Today, Ms. Schaar has no living relatives. She never married, saying, "I was too busy." But she has many friends. Friday, for example, Ms. Schaar had a busy dance card. She and a friend planned to view the quilting display at Mineral Palace Park, an art show at the Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center, and a performance by the Impossible Players. She is busy planning a dinner party at her home, and is excited about traveling soon to a Salida nursing home to visit "an old flame." She also enjoys visiting her cabin in Rye, where "50 years ago, 11 of us gals would go there and get on our skis. We had a great time." At 7 p.m. Thursday at the Sirloin Stockade, 1607 S. Prairie, the Pueblo Archaeological Society will meet to honor Ms. Schaar for being the oldest member of the state society. It will be a simple tribute, but as Simonich said: "She has done some amazing things."
Pueblo Chieftain 12-30-1991 – The Bricks Pueblo's Only Large Housing Project Being Renewed – Work is under way on a $2.2 million renovation of the 224 housing units that comprise the Sangre de Cristo housing project on the South Side. The units are getting new tile on the floors, new kitchen cupboards and new fixtures in the bathrooms. Painted pipes on the kitchen ceilings will be covered. Sangre de Cristo is Pueblo's only large housing project, built in the early 1950s before high rises for the elderly and scattered housing for the poor became fashionable. To many Puebloans, the 14.7-acre development is known simply as "The Projects." To the police, who have had more than their share of calls in the neighborhood over the years, it's called "The Bricks," because of the uniform red brick facades of the one- and two-story buildings. To others, it represents a haven from poverty. To still others - some who have lived there for more than a quarter of a century - it is simply home. "There was a time when there was probably a 40 percent vacancy. It was a tough place to live," said Jack Quinn, executive director of the Pueblo Housing Authority, which built the project in 1951-53 for $1.7 million and is responsible for its management. But the authority put in better streets and lighting, sodded the lawns and established "tougher screening (for potential residents) and kicked them out if they didn't take care of the property," he said. In 1989, "we began using a police background check before renting. If they have a history of drug use or other criminal behavior, we don't let them in," Quinn said. Today, Sangre de Cristo "is full all the time," he said. Also in 1989, the housing authority began conversion of the adjacent former Sacred Heart Orphanage into 52 federally subsidized apartments for low-income families. Although both Sangre de Cristo and Sacred Heart are managed by Mike Higby and his staff at the project, the two remain separate entities. Things have changed mightily in other ways at Sangre de Cristo, Quinn insists. One sunny Saturday in November, residents and members of the staff alike could be found, paintbrushes in hand, brightening up the playground equipment that dots common area backyards throughout the area. There are 366 youngsters 17 and younger living in the projects. Some 163 of them are under 5 years of age. The number of children living there at any given time is something of a moving target, since the project had a 1990 turnover rate of 41 percent. That means 92 families decided to move on. Quinn suggests that represents "strong upward mobility." There are income guidelines to qualify for residence in the project. A single person can earn a maximum of $9,650; a family of four can earn $13,800 maximum. The average unit income is $5,449, Quinn said. The caps don't apply after a person becomes a resident, however. The authority charges 30 percent of a family's monthly income as rent, Quinn explains. "So when it gets to the point where they are better off in the private sector, they move." There was a time when Sangre de Cristo had 500 to 600 children living there, but "families are getting smaller." Then too, some people simply have lived there for decades and prefer it. Some 30 units are one- bedroom apartments occupied by seniors. Another incentive the authority has come up with to keep the neighborhood looking spiffy in the summertime is its yard policy. "The tenants are responsible for their own yards. If they don't mow the lawns, management does and charges them $15. It usually takes only once," Quinn said. The authority supplies hoses and sprinklers and makes lawn mowers available to the residents. "We don't really want to do the yard work," he said. The latest renovation is expected to take a full year to complete. It is the final phase and the lion's share of a $3.4 million federal grant for renovation of the center and 57 other homes scattered through the city.
Pueblo Chieftain 2-22-1993 – Sister, Brother Reunion Coming After 73 Years – Helen Collette holds a photograph of her brother, Joe Borich, who she located after 73 years. Helen Collette doesn't have to watch TV soaps to understand the strange twists and turns life can take. "I don't have to watch soap operas. My life has been one," Mrs. Collette, 77, said last week. In fact, last year Helen - whose real name is not even Helen - found last year that she has a brother. A brother she now remembers barely, but hasn't seen in 73 years. In May, they will reunite. But before we talk about the future, Helen - or Janella, as she discovered was her birth name - wants to talk about the past. "My real father, George Matich, and my mother, Marie, were born on the Austrian-German border, and I was born in Park City, Utah," Mrs. Collette explained. "But my father died and my mother re married Tom Borich." But Marie Borich died soon after, and when Borich himself remarried he placed Helen and her younger brother Johnny in the Sacred Heart Orphanage in Pueblo. What she didn't know until Johnny's daughter visited her in 1992, was that another Matich brother, Joe, also lived in the orphanage for a short time. "I remember this little boy, clinging to me and Johnny. But then, he disappeared." Borich, in an apparent change of heart, came back to get the littlest Matich. Or, was Joe his own child? At the time, Helen was 4 and Johnny 2. She estimates that Joe was 1 when Borich returned for him. The year was probably about 1919. Helen and Johnny lived at Sacred Heart for years. "The only time the German sisters let me see Johnny was for an hour on Sundays," she remembered. "Can you imagine that?" Until last year, she could never figure out why the nuns called her Nellie. When she was 16, she was farmed out to work as a maid at the mansion of J. B. Thatcher. She later married Nick Collette, and 48 years of marriage produced two daughters and a son. "My boy died young," she said sadly. Her daughters survive. Nick, who worked in the casting foundry at CF&I for more than 40 years, died 10 years ago. "We lived in Pueblo for all but six of those years," she said of her married life. "We moved for a while to California, and during (World War II), I worked as a "Rosie the Riveter" at the Garden Ship Yards and at Lockheed." She said she had a tough time with her Pueblo in-laws. "They didn't like me, never did," she laughed. "I wasn't an Italian." Brother Johnny Matich moved to California, but died there of kidney failure in 1949. "What's even sadder than that is, I've got three kidneys, all in perfect working order," Mrs. Collette said. Last year, Johnny's daughter, Cindy Smith from California, showed up unexpectedly with some startling news: Mrs. Collette has another brother, Joe, the little waif who disappeared from the orphanage. "He writes me twice a week," Mrs. Collette said joyfully last week. "His handwriting looks like Johnny's and he sounds just like Johnny over the phone." Joe goes by the last name Borich, but Mrs. Collette is sure he is her full brother. "He's the son of George and Marie Matich," she said. Smith, who found out about the past because of an interest in genealogy, also brought other interesting news. A sad letter from Tom Borich explained why he left the young Matich children at Sacred Heart. "All those years, I never knew why," Mrs. Collette said. "But he wrote that his new wife just didn't like other people's children." In May, Joe, who was eventually placed by Borich in a California orphanage and now lives in Carson City, Nev., will journey to Pueblo to see his sister. Whatever he calls her - Helen or Janella - it's sure to be a joyous occasion, even if they were rejected by Tom Borich's new wife more than 70 years ago.
Pueblo Chieftain 4-24-1993 – A woman who came to the United States as a 13-year-old political refugee, was raised in an orphanage and educated in local parochial schools, was named the Latino Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Month Friday. Flora Lenhart was the recipient of the award for her work over the years and specifically for her efforts to develop new programs at Corwin Middle School. Corwin Principal Fred Ingo lavished praise on Mrs. Lenhart for setting up an after-school tutoring program, developing an interdisciplinary curriculum around last year's Aztec exhibit in Denver and then acquiring grant funds to take the school's sixth-graders to see it. More recently she was successful in acquiring a major grant for the school from McDonnell Douglas. Mrs. Lenhart overcame many obstacles in her life, according to Ray Aguilera, president of the Hispanic Education Foundation. Shortly after Fidel Castro's army took over Cuba in 1959, Mrs. Lenhart and her sisters were smuggled out of the country along with 15,000 other children who were placed in refugee camps in Florida. She was brought to Pueblo where she was raised at the Sacred Heart Home but also spent time with several local families. It was not until 1968 that she saw her family again, he said.
Pueblo Chieftain 5-30-1993 – 1903 Chieftain Policy: 'Anti-Gang Republican' – Efficiency was important even in early days of The Chieftain, and folks marveled at the speed with which newspapers were delivered via a newly purchased wagon-and-horse team. Guaranteed in 1903 was porch delivery by 6 a.m. The Chieftain entered a new era on March 1, 1903, with its sale to I.N. Stevens at a reported price of $145,000. A new company was organized with a capital stock of $300,000. Officers were Stevens, J.J. Lambert. J.A. Barclay, Walter Lawson Wilder, Samuel W. Townsend, Frederick W. Lienau and Alva A. Swain. Lambert was the previous Chieftain owner, and Swain was a correspondent based in Denver who covered State Capitol news for the Pueblo daily… In 1916, The Chieftain told of the death of Lambert. The one-time owner died a few days before his 79th birthday. A later article related that Lambert had left most of his $100,000 estate to Sacred Heart Orphanage, with the provision that the proceeds be invested and the income used to maintain the institution he had founded.
Pueblo Chieftain 10-3-1993 – Separated Family Seeks Help To Get Back Together – A Kansas man who grew up in Pueblo is searching for a sister he has not seen since 1934. Ray "Dave" Perez of Herington, Kan., is seeking help in locating his sister, Lucy (Perez) Clements. Perez said he and three sisters were raised in Pueblo during the late 1920s and 1930s. He has been successful in locating two of his sisters and is still seeking information about Mrs. Clements. The Perez children were separated after they were placed in the Catholic Orphanage in Pueblo in 1934. Their mother, Eleanor Perez, had died earlier and their father, Ray Perez, was ill with tuberculosis. Their father, a steel worker, died in 1944. Earlier this month, Perez was reunited at his Kansas home with his sister Terri Pace of Salem, Ore., after losing contact with her 42 years earlier. Ten years earlier, Perez located a third sister, Ruby Lombard, in Sacramento, Calif. and the two have maintained regular contact since. A reunion of the four Perez children is planned if Mrs. Clements is found. Perez said he was sent to Boys Town in Omaha, Neb., to attend high school. He graduated in 1944 and joined the U.S. Coast Guard. In 1948, he enlisted in the Air Force. Perez can be reached by phone at (913) 258-2698, or by writing to him at 219 S. Ninth St., Herington, KS 67449.
Pueblo Chieftain 11-9-1993 – GPSA To Induct Mohorcich – The annual Greater Pueblo Sports Association Hall of Fame banquet will be held Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in the ballroom at the University of Southern Colorado's Occhiato Student Center. Tickets are $12.50 and can be purchased only in advance at Herb's Sport Shop. The following is one in a series of articles about this year's inductees. Tony Gradishar still remembers a day in 1945 when the St. Mary's Grade School football team pinned a loss on Sacred Heart Orphanage. Joe Mohorcich scored the winning touchdown for St. Mary's. Since that momentous game, Gradishar, who coached St. Mary's, has used Mohorcich as his measuring stick for all the other athletes he has seen - and that includes a lot of Steel City jocks. Gradishar will be on hand Nov. 17 when Mohorcich is inducted into the Greater Pueblo Sports Association Hall of Fame. "He was a hell of a kid," Gradishar said of Mohorcich. "I measure everybody with Joe. He was it. As a freshman in college at Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University) he was honorable mention AP All-America. "He's a kind-hearted gentleman. He was the best athlete to come out of `Bojon Town,' and we've had some honeys. If you saw him on the street now, you'd think he was 30. But he's 62." Gradishar vividly remembers that 1945 game against Sacred Heart. "Sacred Heart Orphanage never lost a game," Gradishar said. "They had players that were 14, 15, 16. They were a lot older and a lot bigger than the other teams in the (grade school) Parochial League. "Well that year with the game almost over, we had a chance. There were about six plays left and we got the ball. We didn't use a clock then; we counted plays. I told the team we were going to keep giving the ball to Mohorcich and I wanted everybody to try and hit somebody, at least get in their way. On about the fourth play, he scored. That was the kind of kid he was. That's the only time Sacred Heart ever got beat when I was coaching at St. Mary's." Mohorcich, who has lived in Albuquerque with his wife, Barbara, since 1954, remembers the game a little differently, although he agrees on the size of the opponent. "Those kids from the orphanage were big," Mohorcich said. "They all wore high-topped, lace-up boots. What I remember about that game was when we were in a punting situation. I took the snap, and that was it. The next thing I remember, the referees were pulling me out of a hedge that was growing behind the end zone. I got my bell rung. That's when I found out all the stars weren't in the heavens." Mohorcich left parochial schools after the eighth grade and went to Central High School where he lettered 12 times, four times each in football, basketball and baseball. As a sophomore, he was a backup fullback on the Wildcats' 1947 Class AA state championship team. "We were just used as cannon fodder then," Mohorcich said. "But we hung in there. When we were seniors, I thought there was no way we could lose, but by golly, we did." The Wildcats went through that 1949 season, Mohorcich's senior year, unbeaten until coming up against Fort Collins in a state playoff semifinal. The Lambkins scored early and held off a determined Central 20-13. Ironically, a year later Mohorcich found himself attending college in Fort Collins. He played baseball and football for the Aggies. When he left college, Mohorcich was offered a contract by the Detroit Tigers to play professional baseball. He also received letters from six professional football teams inviting him to tryouts. He opted instead to get married and accept a commission in the U.S. Air Force. "It was a good year for me, 1954," Mohorcich said. "I graduated. I got married. And I accepted a commission in the Air Force." Mohorcich's first assignment was at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque. He wound up running the base recreation program there for 35 years. Mohorcich began his career as an athlete playing Old Timers baseball in Pueblo. Although he enjoyed football and baseball equally, favorite memories are of summers playing semipro baseball in Nebraska. He once had seven RBIs in an inning, hitting a grand-slam homer and a bases-loaded triple. He remembers one game in particular when his team, McCook, was playing Kearney. The Kearney battery had Ben Dreith on the mound and Pat Haggerty behind the plate. Dreith and Haggerty were teammates at Northern Colorado. Both later became well-known NFL officials. Dreith gave up a home run to McCook's No. 3 batter, who hit the ball over the left-field fence. The next batter took Dreith over the right-field fence. "I'm batting fifth," Mohorcich said. "Ben's fit to be tied. I know he's going to try to clean my ears with the first pitch, and he does. I ate dirt on that first pitch. The second pitch I knew was going to be a fastball. I hit it over the flagpole in center field. Well, Ben came charging off the mound." Dreith never got to the plate. He was tackled by one of Mihorcich's teammates. Needless to say, they were both thrown out of the game. "That was real baseball," Mihorcich said.
Pueblo Chieftain 3-12-1994 – New Transportation Director Once in Pueblo Orphanage – Denver – Bill Vidal, a refugee from Cuba who spent three years at the Sacred Heart Orphanage in Pueblo, was named Friday to head the Colorado Department of Transportation. Gov. Roy Romer said Vidal, 42, did not apply for the vacancy created by former director Ray Chamberlain's resignation, but was persuaded as the "most-recommended person" to accept the $86,300-a-year cabinet position. A former Pueblo and Denver district highway engineer, Vidal was satisfied with his civil service career with the state and turned the governor down at first. Romer said Vidal wasn't sure about transferring his engineering skills to running the entire department he has worked for since 1976. Vidal thanked the governor for having faith in him and his father, Roberto Vidal, for having the courage to get his children out of Fidel Castro's communist Cuba in 1961 and escaping himself three years later. Guillermo "Bill" Vidal was only 10 when his father put him and his twin 11-year-old brothers on a freedom flight from Cuba to Miami. He recalled that Catholic Social Services might have sent them to any one of many orphanages across the United States, but it ended up being the Sacred Heart home. "I'm forever grateful to the people in Pueblo who taught us English and got us an education," Vidal said. "We weren't sure we'd ever see our parents again." His parents escaped late in 1964 and the reunited Vidal family located in Denver, where Bill was graduated from St. Francis de Sales High School. The future transportation chief went on to earn a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering at the University of Colorado in 1973 and took graduate programs at Harvard, Duke and Indiana universities. Vidal, naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 1975, was Pueblo district highway engineer from 1986-88 and Denver district director from 1988 to his promotion as director of transportation. In Denver, he coordinated plans, design and construction of $1 billion in highway projects and managed 3,000 miles of roads in the metropolitan area. Vidal was joined at the announcement of his promotion by his wife Christine; children Sarah, Molly and Joshua; father Roberto, and mother-in-law Patricia Robinson.
Pueblo Chieftain 3-20-1995 – Chavez's Giving, Caring Lifestyle Built on B.T., D.T. Experience – Dan Chavez never knew what it was like to crawl into bed with Mom and Dad when monsters came out from under his bed. No one kissed away his "owies." No loving arms absorbed his loneliness. Chavez grew up in an orphanage and might have been a rebel, but instead he helps young people in hurt. Yet, Chavez doesn't buy excuses for anger. His reason: B.T. and D.T. degrees. That's short for "Been There and Done That." He, his brother and sister were taken to Sacred Heart Home when he was 18 months old. "I think my mother took us there out of love," he said, his usual smile lighting his bearded face. His mother was young and his father took off to California with another woman. The orphanage was a harsh place. "Each nun had 60 boys, and it was tough for that nun," recalled Chavez. Sister Mary Pierre, a French nun, used to pick him up by the cheeks and shake him, he said. Chavez claimed that dirty hands at inspection were whacked by a ruler. One day, he saw a nun crying and realized the nuns, dressed in black and white habits, were as human as he was. Older boys sometimes abused younger boys. Big boys bathed the smaller ones (often in the same water) and one day another youngster saved Chavez when a big fellow nearly drowned him. Chavez, known as the "Sleeping Giant" after he grew up, says he didn't pick fights, but, if one occurred, he was in the middle trying to make peace. Once he threw a troublemaker out a window. When orphans ran away, police brought them back. "Since I was in there at a young age, I never ran away," said Dan. Not all his memories are bad. "We had a terrific football team in the parochial circuit," he said. Boxing matches, swimming, and going to the Colorado State Fair with orphans from McClelland and Lincoln homes brought delight. His mother and grandmother usually visited on weekends. Some kids never had a visitor. "Mom would bring candy once in awhile," he said. "She had to walk 12 to 15 blocks to get there." Chavez was 14, he said, when he got caught kissing one of the Cuban girls brought to America by the Pueblo Catholic Diocese during the Cuban missile crisis. He said the nun dragged him to the priest and pinched his arm hard. When he tried to spin away, he said, the force shoved her through a door and Chavez had to either go to Boys Town or home. His sister had been released to his mother, who now had three other children, and Dan and his brother went home in 1963. His mother got her GED and was studying to become a nurse and managed to get a larger house. She soon got a job at St. Mary-Corwin Hospital and stayed there until she retired. A new world was discovered by the teenager. "I liked to hang around with kids who had a father," he said. Chavez recalls seeing his father three times. The first is a faint memory because he was so young. Another was in California when his dad bought him a sport coat, then had him take wine into a baseball park in the pockets. In 1972, when the elder Chavez was dying of cirrhosis of the liver, he asked for his children. "He was sorry for our way of life," recalled Chavez. "I forgave him and he died happy." After graduation from Central High School in 1966, Uncle Sam called and Chavez spent six months in Viet Nam. Chavez worked as an orderly at St. Mary-Corwin Hospital and took courses at Southern Colorado State College. After re-enlisting in the military four years, he started working for the Pueblo City-County Health Department, where he is a case manager in Partners in Prenatal Services. He met his second wife, Kathy, at the health department. They became involved in 1982 with Pueblo Christian Center and began working with youth. Now he often sees himself in boys he meets as vice president of El Pueblo Boys Ranch board of directors. He serves on the board for Crossroads Managed Care System (formerly Pueblo Treatment Services); he's advisory board chairman for the Colorado State University Extension Food and Nutrition Education Program; and on the board of the Teenage Parents nursery at Central High School and works with teen fathers at Family Counseling Center and in a support group. He does classes for Upward Bound for Pueblo Community College and the University of Southern Colorado and started the Interagency Furniture Bank that assists needy and formerly homeless families. About the only place he preaches what he practices is at Praise Assembly of God Church, now his church home. As one of the parents who helps teens, he often talks one-on-one to discouraged and disillusioned teens. "Parents are giving up on their children," he said. "Too late is when you bury them."
Pueblo Chieftain 4-2-1995 – CDOT Director Sees Changes Coming – Transportation problems, neglected for years, can "change the face of the state," the executive director of Colorado's Department of Transportation told Pachyderms of Pueblo. Since 1987, highway usage in the state has increased 21 percent, Bill Vidal said… Vidal has been executive director of the Department of Transportation for about a year, appointed by Gov. Roy Romer, after 19 years in the department. A native of Cuba, he and two brothers were sent to the United States in 1961, three years after Fidel Castro took over the country. They ended up in Pueblo at Sacred Heart Orphanage for three years until their parents could get to America and they settled in Denver. He remembers Chris Munoz (county clerk) teaching him English. "We went through the Dick and Jane readers." He returned to Pueblo as regional DOT director in 1986 and stayed until 1991.
Pueblo Chieftain 12-10-1995 – Lending a Helping Hand – Dan Chavez has devoted his life to helping the needy. Dan Chavez, a health department case worker, was so struck by the shabby living conditions of a woman in her final month of pregnancy that he started a furniture bank for the needy. The woman was sleeping on a bed of her crumpled clothes and eating off a trunk. "It just broke my heart," Chavez said, reflecting last week on that moment five years ago, which set him on a new tack of helping others. Now, Chavez, 47, and a handful of volunteers run The Inter-Agency Food Bank, which collects furniture and household items for the homeless and displaced families. When Chavez met the young, pregnant woman with no furniture, he was working as a City-County Health Department's Partners In Prenatal Services case worker. He still has the job helping pregnant girls and women ranging in age 13 to forty something. He counsels many teens whose angry parents have kicked them out of the family home upon learning the girls are pregnant. He helps them obtain Partners In Prenatal Services and Medicaid benefits. Chavez said the girls and women often need furniture. Generally, the bank receives seven to eight calls a week from the needy. The furniture bank is unique in that it gives goods away "with no strings attached," Chavez said. Other agencies give furniture but require identification or other criteria. "When somebody is in crisis I don't think they should have to go through that because they're already going through the bureaucracies to obtain Medicaid or food stamps," Chavez said. People seeking donations from the furniture bank need only go through a simple home visit so bank volunteers can see their living arrangements. "We don't turn anybody away," Chavez said. "Our primary referrals come through the shelters or word of mouth. The only problem is the need has gotten so big (that) we can't cover everybody." Besides furniture like beds, couches and tables and household items of dishes, cooking utensils, towels and bedding, and food, the furniture bank collects clothing. Clothing not needed locally is trucked to New Mexico and South Dakota American Indian reservations. When asked about his tireless volunteer work, Chavez told of his own childhood difficulties. He was 18 months old when he his mother took him to the Sacred Heart home. He lived there until he was 15. But Chavez remains positive about both his good and bad orphanage experiences. He has used them to strengthen himself and the female clients he counsels, he said. Being a part of the furniture bank also has provided him with a way of helping many domestic-violence victims. "I want to make their lives a little more joyful, their burden a little lighter," he said. "The Lord put me on this earth to do what I can and this is the day I am doing it." Chavez said he is ceaselessly amazed at people's generosity. "What makes it (the bank) work are the people who give the furniture, the clothing, the food," he said. "People are giving. They will give if they know where to give." Chavez recently was buoyed by local Upward Bound program college students who donated toys to the furniture bank recipients. "These are crisis youth, themselves, who are giving to others," he said. Then there is a local hospital who is giving employees holiday turkeys and, in turn, asking them to donate clothes to the furniture bank. Often, those who give are modestly living elderly. "There was this lady that called me and said, 'You know, I kept that article from the paper on the refrigerator because I knew that some day I would be giving some things away,"' Chavez said. Those moments help him through occasional setbacks, such as when his pickup truck recently broke down and prevented from delivering and picking up furniture. But that didn't stop Chavez. Now, he encourages the needy to find a way to pick up the furniture from the contributors. Those meetings sometimes have resulted in the contributors and the needy further helping each other. Besides the food bank, Chavez said he serves on boards of the El Pueblo Boys' and Girls' Ranch, Crossroads Managed Care System because he just enjoys helping others. "I feel good doing what I do. I enjoy this. I like giving of myself. I just wish I had more to give," he said.
Pueblo Chieftain 5-30-1996 – Housing Chief Quinn is City's Primo Landlord – What's the value of the property owned by Pueblo's biggest landlord, the Pueblo Housing Authority? It's anybody's guess, says executive director Jack Quinn. And longtime authority controller Barbara Bernard agrees. On the authority's books, land and structure assets total about $47.5 million and grew $2 million during the fiscal year that ended March 31. But as the saying goes, "It don't mean a thing." … But the authority's most recent acquisitions - the old Sacred Heart Orphanage (now Fenix Apartments) and the old Central Grade School - reflect real world accounting. Sacred Heart, acquired by a nonprofit subsidiary of the authority, Pueblo Fenix Inc., in 1988 for $200,000, was resold to a limited partnership at the end of 1989 for low-income housing and historic preservation tax credits. Under the partnership agreement, Pueblo Fenix retains land ownership, a 10-percent ownership interest and is the general (or managing) partner. The limited partner is PacificCorp Finance of Portland, Ore., a subsidiary of Pacific Gas & Electric, which paid $1.375 million for the tax credits. That provided funds for the authority to redevelop the property into 52 rental units. "That's the only way we could afford to renovate these old historic properties," Quinn said. "We could build new ones for a lot less." The syndication provides another benefit: The limited partnership pays property taxes of about $15,000 a year and will for its 15-year life. Now the authority is looking for a syndicate investor for the old Central Grade School, which it bought through another nonprofit corporation, El Centro Pueblo Development Corp. from School District 60 for $170,000. The twin tax credits - for low-income housing and historic preservation - are worth an estimated $1.05 million and are expected to sell to a private investor for about $650,000. That revenue, plus a $750,000 renovation loan, will permit the conversion of the historic school. A $1.276 million construction contract with BAV Construction was signed on May 1.
Pueblo Chieftain 8-9-1996 – Slain Priests Were Kind, Generous, Gracious – "They were very gracious, very close friends, very generous - they took me into their lives ever since I retired." That's the Rev. William Powers talking, an Irish-born priest who has served in the Pueblo Diocese since his ordination in 1958. "They" were his friends and brother priests, the Revs. Thomas Scheets, 65, and Louis Stovik, 77, found dead Wednesday evening in the rectory of St. Leander Parish, 1402 E. 7th St., where they lived. Scheets had been pastor there since moving here from La Junta in 1990, and Stovik had taken up residence in the rectory since his retirement from the active priesthood three years ago. He previously had been pastor of St. Therese Parish in Vineland. Powers, who discovered the bodies Wednesday when he was summoned by one of Scheets' friends to check on their welfare, lives in the neighborhood and - as was his daily habit - was checking in at the rectory: "We always joked about that, and I always told them I just wanted to let them know I was still alive. And now this . . . " Powers reminisced about the two men: "They were both very good, very loving priests, and very different in style. Louie was a very formal priest, conservative in his views and only recently able to open up a bit in conversations about his theological differences with other priests. "Tom was an intellectual - well-read, had done doctoral work in theology in Rome, had taught and run high schools in the Midwest - and rather more liberal. "In spite of those differences - Tom was as liberal as Louie was conservative - they were good friends and hit it off well with each other. I think they needed and benefited from each other's company." Powers remembered a conversation the two slain priests had had often: "Tom would say, 'Louie, when I die, (Bishop Arthur) Tafoya is going to name you pastor.' Louie would respond, 'Nonsense, I'll be out of this rectory before your funeral is over.' " … Stovik was born in Curlew, Wash., was ordained in June 1949 and retired in September 1990. He has held pastoring and administrative assignments in Durango, Salida, Vineland and Pueblo, including, in this city, stints at the Cathedral, Sacred Heart orphanage, the Shrine of St. Therese, St. Mary-Corwin Hospital, Catholic Charities, the Diocesan Development Fund, Boy and Girl Scout chaplain, Knights of Columbus, the Bishop's advisory council, the Diocesan Foundation and the Clergy Benefit Society.
Pueblo Chieftain 9-2-1997 - Remember When...? - … 40 years ago, in September, 1957: Five orphans ranging in age from six to 11 scaled the wall around Sacred Heart Orphanage for a short-lived but daring escape…
Pueblo Chieftain 8-22-1998 – Walter Patrick Pop" Ferriter passed away Aug. 20, 1998. He was born Feb. 27, 1900, to James J. and Nellie Shea Ferriter in Aspen, Colo. He moved to Pueblo at an early age. Preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy M. Gindel Ferriter, in 1953. He is survived by his son, Robert (Sandi) Ferriter - two daughters, Eileen (Richard) Meserve and Dorothy (Ralph) Hinrichs - as well as 10 grandchildren - three great-grandchildren - nieces and nephews. He is also survived by special friends, Mrs. Vivian McGuire, Mrs. Mary Kattnig and Miss Kathy Kattnig and Mr. and Mrs. Hurchel Edmunds. He was employed as a stationary engineer for Colorado State Hospital, Pueblo Waste Water Treatment Plant and Pueblo Board of Water Works. He also served an apprenticeship as a machinist at CF&I. He was very active with the Boy Scouts of America, helping to form a troop at Sacred Heart Orphanage and at St. Francis Parish. He later became an Assistant Scout Master for Troop 19. He also received the St. George Medal and was elected to the Order of the Arrow for his work in scouting. He was a life member of BPOE No. 90 and a life member of St. Francis Parish. Visitation, noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, 1998, at the funeral home. Recitation of the rosary, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26. Funeral Mass, 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27. Both services at St. Francis Xavier Church. Interment to follow, Roselawn Cemetery. Those who wish may make donations to Boy Scouts of America, Sangre de Cristo Hospice or Spinal Cord Society, P.O. Box 69, Minneapolis, Minn. 55440. The family respectfully requests the omission of food.
Pueblo Chieftain 3-24-1999 – Joe E. Tezak, 88, lifetime resident of Pueblo, passed away March 21, 1999. He was preceded in death by his son, Col. Joseph E. Tezak II, three sisters and one brother. Survived by his wife, Pauline - daughter, Irene (Jack) Brookhart, Englewood, Colo. – ten grandchildren – six great-grandchildren – and a sister, Ann LaTronica. He was a prominent general contractor in Pueblo, supervised the construction of the Yacht Club Condominiums in Dillon and the Vail Racquet Club in Vail. During World War II he was a member of the Army Corps of Engineers, a past member of the Supervisory Committee for Mt. Carmel Credit Union, the Serra Club, a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus No. 557, a board member of the Sacred Heart Orphanage, General Contractors Association and the Allied Contractors Association. In 1958 he received the Papal Honor, the Benemerenti Medal. He and his family enjoyed many years of fishing and outdoor recreation at their cabin in San Isabel. Cremation, Almont Crematory. Memorial Mass, Friday, 11 a.m., Our Lady of Assumption Church. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that any donations be made to Our Lady of the Assumption Church Parish, 900 E. Routt Ave.
Pueblo Chieftain 5-16-1999 – Healing the Wounds – Dan Chavez talks about his work with pregnant teen-agers and a program he has started for teen fathers. Nearly every evening, Dan Chavez and his 10-year-old daughter go outside with a huge ball and a day's worth of worries or wonders to toss around. They take turns bouncing the ball onto the roof of their house, exchanging questions and answers, or sometimes just knowing moments of silence, as it tumbles back down again. It is a simple ritual, an ordinary bit of life that strengthens the bond between father and child. It also helps heal the heart of a little boy who never knew his father's voice or loving hand. Chavez has raised three other children, all without benefit of knowing exactly what a father is supposed to be. And he has dedicated a career to helping young parents break the cycle of abandonment and loss. The 51-year-old says his mother was the best "father" any boy could have wanted, even though he only saw her several Sundays a month. That's when she would walk 6 miles from her tiny house to Sacred Heart orphanage on Pueblo's South Side -- three youngsters in tow in the later years -- to see three children she bore to a man who laid no claim to them after they were born. Those Sundays also were the only time Chavez could be assured of spending some time with his older sister and brother. Boys and girls lived in different buildings, and within each building, they were grouped according to age. So, the three Chavez siblings didn't see much of each other except on visiting days and special occasions. Chavez lived at Sacred Heart for 11 years, from the time he was 3 until midway through his 14th year. With 50 or 60 children in each group, all assigned to the care of just one nun, he remembers, "There weren't a lot of bedtime stories and good-night hugs. The nuns just didn't have time because there were too many of us. But we did OK. We learned to take care of each other." That's not to say that any of them reached adulthood without some scars. Chavez, through education and "lots of psychotherapy and growing up," learned to channel his pain into efforts to help others avoid it in their own lives. But it's more than a personal mission. As a case manager for the Partners in Prenatal Services (PIPS) program at Pueblo City-County Health Department, Chavez has developed several educational components aimed just at young fathers. PIPS, like many prenatal programs, at first focused primarily on the mother-to-be, he explained, and that focus only tended to alienate teen-age boys facing premature and often reluctant fatherhood. But even within the programs just for dads, Chavez said, it's difficult getting his message across sometimes because many of the boys have had little or no contact with their fathers. "It's often a hurting situation, and there's anger there," he said. "But it's also somewhat normal for them to assume they don't have to be involved with the child their girlfriend is carrying. We try to get them to a place where they recognize that responsibility and agree to accept it." Chavez said he is convinced that the legacy of abusive or otherwise painful childhoods often is violence against society by teen-agers and adults whose wounds never healed. At the very least, he says, boys who grow up without fathers are likely to abandon or neglect their own children and perpetuate the cycle for yet another generation. So Chavez doesn't hesitate to share his own story with teen-agers in sex-education classes, at school assemblies, or during one-on-one interviews with young boys who soon will be fathers. His office is adorned with poetry he has written about fatherhood, and copies of his favorites often are among the handouts he offers when speaking to groups of adolescents. He also brings his philosophy to his role as a member of the board of directors of the El Pueblo Boys and Girls Ranch. And he will share it next week during presentations that will be part of Pueblo's second annual Children's Summit at USC. He will be one several speakers who will examine the importance of "connections" in the lives of young children and adolescents -- connections with family, with the community, and with persons or organizations that help develop and foster spiritual connections. Chavez, of course, will focus on the importance of fathers connecting with their children -- not just as providers who will keep young mothers off welfare, but as role models and nurturing guides in the growth of society's most vulnerable and precious members.
Pueblo Chieftain 7-11-1999 – Parents Sent Daughters to Land of Freedom 37 Years Ago – In May 1962, Flora "Flo" (Camejo) Lenhart and her two younger sisters boarded a plane in their native Cuba and embarked on a journey that would change their lives forever. The sisters, Flo, 14; Zenia, 11; and Gloria, 9, joined hundreds of other Cuban children on a special airline flight from Cuba to Miami, fleeing dictator Fidel Castro. After spending two weeks in a Florida refugee camp, the young sisters were sent to Pueblo's Sacred Heart Orphanage on behalf of Catholic Relief Services. Sacred Heart eventually would be home to approximately 100 Cuban refugee children during a seven-year span. The Camejo sisters remained at Sacred Heart or in foster care for the next six years until they were reunited with their parents. Mrs. Lenhart, a native of Mira Mar, Cuba, said she remembered shortly after Castro took over in 1959 that things began to sour in her homeland. "They started closing the private schools and they were deporting the priests and the sisters (nuns). There were long lines to get food and there was a lack of medication," she said. "Life was breaking down as we knew it." Mrs. Lenhart said her father, a businessman, had sensed that things likely would get worse and began preparing to take his family out of Cuba. But the Cuban government began to clamp down on the granting of visas. The Camejo family would be issued only three. That's when Mrs. Lenhart said she first realized her father was making plans to send his three daughters on to a life of freedom. "Our parents (Leonardo and Odelta) had decided that the situation was going irreversible and they decided to send us children out of there," said Mrs. Lenhart, now a School District 60 administrator. "It was around Christmas 1961 that he began making transactions," she said. "Then around the first of May (1962), he sat me down and said he was sending us to the U.S. "I remember him telling me that we could be separated for one month, for three months, for a year or a lifetime." Mrs. Lenhart said his departing words were that he wanted her to promise him that all the girls would become what he had dreamed of for them - to be successful and educated. Mrs. Lenhart said a few weeks later, she and her sisters boarded the plane, dubbed "The Peter Pan Flight," with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. She said the day they left, her father lost his refrigeration business. Shortly after they arrived at the refugee camp _ located in old army barracks in Florida City – Mrs. Lenhart said Catholic priests, Revs. Louis Stovik, and John Sierra of Pueblo Catholic Charities arrived to escort a group of children back to Pueblo. Mrs. Lenhart said the group included three sets of three sisters. "They made an effort to keep families together," she said. "They not only made it a point to put siblings together, but they also made sure that cousins were kept together." Mrs. Lenhart still vividly remembers the moment she arrived at Sacred Heart, the night of June 7, 1962. "We knew we were coming to an orphanage but we had no mental picture of what an institution was," she said. "I never realized what a shock it would be to come from a loving family to a place that had 300 children who were without a home." She said one of the biggest changes was that she lost her identity. "When we got here, we were given a number because it was too hard to remember names," she said. "From then on, we were identified by a number." Mrs. Lenhart said it also was difficult at first because the Cuban children could speak only Spanish and there were limited people at the home who could speak her native language. Despite the hardships and the strict discipline handed down by the nuns and priests who ran the home, Mrs. Lenhart said she learned to persevere. "I had to be strong because I knew there were others (sisters) following me," she said. "Those of us with siblings knew we had to keep our integrity and our calm. I prayed constantly." She also used the censored and infrequent letters from her parents as an inspiration to keep going. "It was difficult for all of us, especially the younger ones, but our faith made the difference," she said. "We learned to work at the orphanage and we learned endurance, but I also learned to have a deep faith in God and the people around us." Mrs. Lenhart said the hospitality shared by many Pueblo residents and their families also made the experience more bearable. "I have never encountered the love and unselfishness as I had with the people here in Pueblo," she said. "They took from themselves to give to us. They would invite us into their homes on Sundays and holidays and some even took us in to live. They have helped to make us who we are today." Mrs. Lenhart said she and her sisters spent that first summer learning English and by the fall of 1962, they were enrolled in school. All Sacred Heart residents attended Pueblo parochial schools. She also sensed a feeling of hope as children, one-by-one, would leave the home as they were reunited with their parents or other family members. Shortly after the school year began, Mrs. Lenhart said she was faced with another hardship. The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 resulted in a further deterioration between the U.S. and Cuban relationship. The situation made it even more difficult for anyone to leave the country. "The difficult part of it all was that we didn't know if we would ever see our parents again," Mrs. Lenhart said. She would later learn that out of desperation her parents had tried to leave the country via a fishing boat headed to the Yucatan area of Mexico. "The man who was guiding the boat turned everybody over to the Cuban government," she said. "My parents were sentenced to five years in a labor camp." Mrs. Lenhart said during that time, she had moved to Canon City where she worked and attended classes at St. Scholastica Academy and had no knowledge of her parents' plight. Sacred Heart would house children only through the eighth-grade. High school children either lived in foster homes or attended boarding schools. After three years at St. Scholastica, Mrs. Lenhart returned to Pueblo and lived with the Ray and Shirley Pusedu family. She graduated from Seton High School in 1967 and immediately went to work at a local bank. Her sisters eventually would move in with foster families, Richard and Mae Vinci and Robert and Ellen Hall. A year later, the sisters would finally be reunited with their parents. Mrs. Lenhart said her parents were among one of the last groups of parents to leave the country under a special airlift program orchestrated by President Lyndon Johnson. "It was almost impossible to believe," she said, still filled with emotion as she spoke of the family reunion. Mrs. Lenhart said her parents remained in Pueblo where her father worked and retired from Johnson Electric. Her mother still resides in Pueblo. Her father died in 1997. Shortly after her parents arrived in Pueblo, Mrs. Lenhart married John Lenhart, a District 60 school teacher. The couple has two grown children. After marriage, Mrs. Lenhart said she chose to stay home and care for her young family before embarking on her career as an educator in the early 1980s. "I wanted to enjoy the peace of having a home, a husband and my children," she said. "But as my children got older, I decided that I needed to make a contribution and to give back to this community that has given me so much. That's why I decided to go into education." Mrs. Lenhart enrolled at the University of Southern Colorado and received a degree in education in 1984. She went on to teach at Somerlid Elementary and Corwin Middle School before becoming an administrator in 1995. She currently is the district specialist in charge of English as a Second Language and the Gifted Children programs. Both her sisters also married and went on to successful careers. Zenia is manager at a stationary company in Colorado Springs and Gloria is retired from the banking industry and resides in Houston, Texas. Mrs. Lenhart said despite the struggles she and her family made to rebuild their lives in the U.S., she can't help but thank her parents for having the wisdom and the courage to send their children to this country. "My parents paid the ultimate sacrifice to make sure we were safe. My parents were very unselfish. There was not a better way for a parent to show their love," she said. "I remember my father telling me as we boarded that airplane, "I set you free so you can be free. "That's exactly what our parents did."
Pueblo Chieftain 7-11-1999 – 4 Decades Later, Refugees Have Rebuilt Their Lives – Grand Reunion – Photo caption: The Camejo sisters (from left) Flo, Zenia and Gloria, pose during happier times in Cuba in 1954. When Fidel Castro seized power in Cuba in 1959, many families wondered whether life would ever get better. Parents of some young Cuban children began plotting their departure from the rapidly declining country. In 1961, Catholic Relief Services began sponsoring the Peter Pan Flights which brought more than 15,000 Cuban children into the United States as refugees. Catholic Charities from throughout the country began placing those children in church-run orphanages and foster homes until they could be reunited with family members. Pueblo's Sacred Heart Orphanage, operated by Catholic Social Services, was among one of the places the children went. The Revs. Louis Stovik and John Sierra would make five trips to Miami in 1961 and 1962 to bring some of those refugee children back to this community. From 1961 to 1968, more than 100 of the Cuban children spent time at either Sacred Heart or in foster homes, awaiting to be reunited with their families. Some of the children spent only a few months at the home, while others spent more than six years in Pueblo waiting for their families. As their families left Cuba, all the children eventually were reunited with them and most scattered throughout the United States to begin life anew. Some became doctors, lawyers, engineers and teachers. Others became bankers, businessmen, professionals and housewives. But despite the different paths they have traveled, the individuals still remain tied together with one common thread - they all lived a portion of their lives at Sacred Heart Home. This weekend, approximately 30 of the Cuban refugees who lived at Sacred Heart will gather in Pueblo for a reunion. "This will be the first one (reunion) in Pueblo," said Rev. James Friel, who served as chaplain of the home from 1961 to 1964. "They had a reunion in Miami (Florida) about five years ago and I think there were a lot of them who expressed an interest in coming back to Pueblo." The reunion will include a special mass at 1:15 p.m. Saturday at Lady of the Meadows Church, 23 Starling. A dinner will follow from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Pueblo West Inn. In addition to the immigrant children and their families, all church personnel who played a part in the children's lives as well as host families and former orphanage residents are invited to attend the mass and dinner. "We wanted to get together to thank the individuals and the church community that cared for us and played a role in all of our successes," said Flora "Flo" Lenhart, a native of Cuba who lived at the home from 1962 to 1968. Mrs. Lenhart is one of only two of the Cuban children who still resides in Pueblo. Rosie Harsch, who works for the Pueblo County Sheriff's Department, also lives in Pueblo. "We want to tell everybody thank you for what they did for us," Mrs. Lenhart said. "There were so many people who opened up their homes to us, cared for us and gave us that family that we left behind. We want to thank them all." She said they also want to share that gratitude with other former home residents. "We were very fortunate to meet children that were in similar negative situations such as ourselves," she added. "They were the youngsters that became our brothers and sisters at the home." Anyone interested in attending the reunion should RSVP to Mrs. Lenhart at 547-9784.
Pueblo Chieftain 7-18-1999 – Cuban Refugees Revel in American Success – Joining for a reunion Saturday in Pueblo are former Cuban refugees (from left) Dr. Juan del Aguila, Rosie Harsch, Ciro Alvarez and Luis Perez. They lived at the Sacred Heart Orphanage under the supervision of the Rev. James Friel. There was plenty of laughter, some tears, lots of hugs, but most of all memories at a poignant reunion Saturday. As is the case with most such gatherings, the approximately 30 Cuban immigrants who once lived in the Sacred Heart Orphanage gathered to recall the memories and share the highlights of their new lives during a day-long celebration. In the early 1960s, shortly after Fidel Castro seized power in Cuba, approximately 15,000 Cuban children left their homeland without their parents aboard flights sponsored by Catholic Charities. The children traveled first to a refugee camp in Florida and from there were sent to various Catholic-run orphanages throughout the United States. Sacred Heart was among the homes that accepted those children. During a seven-year period, more than 100 Cuban children spent time in the home or with foster families awaiting a reunion with their parents or other family members. Most left Pueblo after their families arrived, but many still feel a special bond with their first American home and its people. In the past, small groups of the Cuban children gathered for reunions throughout the U.S. This was the first large gathering in Pueblo. "This was the beginning of my life in the United States," said Luis Perez, who lived at Sacred Heart for two years. "The time I spent at the orphanage is what has made me the person I am today," said Perez, who now lives in New Jersey. "I have been fortunate and have been successful in my life and this is where it all began to happen." Perez, who has only been back to Pueblo once since he left in 1964, said he wanted to return to meet with not only other Cuban children, but some of the American children who lived at the home during that time as well. The reunion, though focusing on the Cuban children, also included U.S. children, church officials and Pueblo families who played a big part in the lives of the young refugees at that time. Stories were exchanged about their old school days, the generosity (and sometimes harsh discipline) handed down by the priests and sisters who ran the home and the numerous Pueblo families who played a part in their young lives. Rosie (Ramos) Harsch, one of only two Cuban children who remained in Pueblo, said during her four years at the home, she gathered many memories. "There were a lot of different memories and in retrospect, they were all good," she said. "I remember going to school in the summer to learn to speak English and I remember us all having our little assignments to do." "There were also fun times like the trips we'd take to the mountains and the movies we'd get to watch on the weekends." Mrs. Harsch said the reunions serve not only to rekindle friendships but to share their varied success stories. "I think it's an opportunity to see where we've been and it's a time to get together and look at our successes and our adventures." Ciro Alvarez, who now lives in Utah, added that the experience of living in the home has helped to shape all the children's lives. "It was traumatic enough to leave our country under the circumstances but then we had to adjust to the refugee camp," he said. "Then we were brought to the home, which was even a different atmosphere and culture than what we left at the camp." Although his stay in Pueblo was short, Alvarez said the experience has left a lasting impression on him. "It's a part of life that you can't possibly deny. The experience has made me a survivalist and has allowed me to triumph over the difficult situations that have occurred in my life." Alvarez, who was 11 when he came to the U.S., said he has attended nearly every reunion the Cuban immigrants have hosted. "There's something about the camaraderie and the love that we have for each other," he said. "We have a mutual respect for each other because we all went through the experience together." "We're really all brothers and sisters and this is like getting together for a family reunion."
Denver Post 12-7-1999 - Cuban Refugee Fight Hits Home - Dec. 7 - John Vidal arrived in Florida from Cuba 28 years ago on a comfortable Pan Am flight. Six-year-old Elian Gonzalez arrived in Florida from Cuba on Thanksgiving Day clinging to an innertube in shark-infested waters. They both arrived as children adrift from their parents, caught in a political struggle. And they both know that choosing between living with family or living with freedom is a terrible thing to face in any decade, at any age. Little Elian is being fought over by Cuban dictator Fidel Castro and Florida's powerful Cuban-American community. His mother and stepfather smuggled him out of Cuba and onto an overloaded powerboat that sank somewhere in the 90-mile crossing to south Florida, killing 10 people and leaving the boy and two others adrift near Fort Lauderdale. The boy's father, living in north-central Cuba, wants him back, saying now that his mother is dead he should come home to live in Cuba with his extended family. Gonzalez is staying with cousins and other relatives in Miami who say his mother's last desperate act proved how bad living conditions are in repressive Cuba and that he should grow up free in the States. For Americans unfamiliar with modern Cuba or the age-old hatreds of Castro, it is a nearly impossible dilemma. The Florida state courts will probably sort out the dispute. The Vidal brothers in Denver have watched with great interest: John, who is principal of Littleton's Heritage High School; Bill, executive director of the Denver Regional Council of Governments; and Bob, in the computer industry, all flew from Havana to Miami as part of "Operation Pedro Pan'' in 1961. Castro had recently taken power and was jailing the wealthy and his political enemies. Then-President John F. Kennedy had supported the failed Bay of Pigs invasion that sought to force the fiery communist out of power. Before flights to the U.S. were shut down, parents who couldn't get visas to leave Cuba themselves sent their children over alone in wave after wave that totaled 14,000 temporary orphans by the operation's end in 1962. John and Bob, twins, were 11 at the time. Bill was 10. They were given the choice of splitting up and living with foster families in three states or going together to an orphanage. They chose the orphanage, and flew to Stapleton in October 1961 before making the long drive to Pueblo, where they checked in to the Sacred Heart Orphanage. They remained there without their parents for the next four years. While other Cuban-Americans have rallied around keeping the boy in Florida, John Vidal speaks like the maverick you might expect after a childhood toughened in an orphanage. "We should not politicize a parenting issue,'' Vidal said. "I think this father has a right to have his son. It's an interesting dilemma,'' he allowed. "But I don't think it's a matter of where he's going to have a better life. Will he have better material possessions and food here? Probably. But will he have the love of his father?'' Those who criticize conditions in Cuba cite severe political repression and a shattered economy that has resulted in rationing of most basic goods, strict limits on any free enterprise and health problems related to malnutrition. The U.S. has a longtime trade embargo with Cuba, and the nation's communist subsidy system collapsed with the Soviet bloc. "People are standing in line to get toilet paper,'' Vidal said. "Fortunately (the climate) is not Siberia.'' Cubans note, however, that many of the harsh economic conditions U.S. politicians love to complain about are caused by the U.S. embargo. They also claim Cuba has free national health care and high literacy rates, and takes care of its poor better than some industrialized nations. "A situation like this can easily be exploited for political purposes,'' Vidal said. "And the Cuban community is no different from the American community sometimes in using politics to exploit certain situations.'' The Vidals clearly turned out well, even without the support of cousins and other relatives that 6 year-old Elian enjoys in his Miami limbo. But John Vidal, having waited four long years for his mother and father to arrive in Pueblo, said the Cuban culture places a heavy emphasis, and rightfully so, on children being with their parents and grandparents. "It's better to be together and supportive than to feel, "I need to provide all these material possessions to you.' I think there's a greater value here in families being together,'' he said. "Does that put me in the minority? I don't care.''

Pueblo Chieftain 6-2-2000 – Voters May Decide Future of Bilingual Education – Denver - Colorado public schools would replace bilingual education with English-immersion programs under a citizen initiative proposed for the Nov. 7 ballot… Other proponents at the news conference included U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., as well as Ada Diaz Kirby, a Denver businesswoman who grew up at the Sacred Heart Orphanage in Pueblo, and Joe F. Chavez, a Denver man who grew up in Ordway and is no relation to Linda Chavez… "Assimilating in the school system and getting an education helped me be successful," said Ada Diaz Kirby, who was sent by her parents from her native Cuba at the age of 11 and was placed by the Catholic Church in the Sacred Heart home in Pueblo. A 1969 graduate of Pueblo Centennial High School, she went to work for U S West for 24 years and now is president of her own company, CommTech International Inc., in Denver.

Pueblo Chieftain 7-25-2003 – Mary Eileen Schaar – Mary Eileen Schaar, 102, who had lived in Pueblo for nearly a century, passed away July 17, 2003, at the Villa Pueblo Nursing Unit. Miss Schaar was born Dec. 10, 1900, in the Indian Territory (Oklahoma), and had lived in Pueblo since childhood. Her father, a railroader, was unable to care for Eileen and a younger sister, so they were boarded at the Sacred Heart Orphanage for several years. After finishing high school, Eileen went to work for a dentist, who sent her to a Denver school, and she became Pueblo's first dental hygienist. She continued in that profession until she was 70 years old, her last employer being Dr. Joseph Sajbel. Miss Schaar lived life to the fullest; she often entertained her friends at her mountain home and the adjacent Storybook House, which is a landmark in Rye. She was a world traveler and had many artistic talents. She was a charter member of the Pueblo Archaeological and Historical Society and went on numerous field trips and "digs." She was a 75-year member of the Business and Professional Women; she was a member of the Steel City Republican Women's Club, Rosemount Victorian House Museum Association, AARP, the YWCA, the Pueblo Zoological Association, and the Ascension Episcopal Church. Eileen and sister, Rubye deTreville, made their home on W. 15th Street in Pueblo for many years; she lived in the Bay Area of California for a short time but missed her friends in Pueblo, so she moved back to the Villa Pueblo about eight years ago. She is survived by cousins in Colorado, Arizona, California and many friends. Memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 27, 2003, at the Church of the Ascension, 410 W. 18th St. Final resting place with her father and sister, Fairview Cemetery, Salida, Colo.

Pueblo Chieftain 11-25-2004 - Thanksgiving 1904 - One hundred years ago, most Puebloans sat down to eat Thanksgiving dinner. The date was Nov. 24, 1904, and Pueblo was enjoying mild weather. Prosperity was reported in many quarters, though some of the city's major employers recently had experienced slowdowns. Many families had much to be thankful for: good food, shelter, good health, employment, and the less tangible but no less valuable freedoms to worship as they chose, to elect their leaders, to assemble and speak their minds.  The vignettes that appear here are based on information taken from the pages of The Pueblo Chieftain in the three weeks preceding the holiday. Quoted material comes directly from the newspapers… The children at Sacred Heart Orphanage would benefit from a turkey dinner served at noon on Thanksgiving at the Armory Hall, while the Associated Charities was accepting donations of cash and "substantial food" at a temporary office at Third and Santa Fe.

Pueblo Chieftain 3-31-2005 – Seeking Answers - Cousins Debbie Sharp and Leslie Buell are hoping Puebloans have some memory of their grandfather and his family. They'd like to learn more about the man who changed his name and, as an adult, refused to tell anyone in the family about his painful childhood in Pueblo nearly a century ago. Sharp and Buell live near Salt Lake City, and Sharp has searched for information about her grandfather's past for 30 years, corresponding with librarians and researchers at Pueblo City-County Library District, St. Mary Church and Catholic Charities. Since Sharp finally located the family in Pueblo, Buell has worked closely with Roselawn Cemetery and Catholic Charities. "Not knowing what happened to my grandfather's father, his mother or his brothers and sisters left a big void in our family," Sharp says (via e-mail). "How did the father and mother die? Did they die at the same time? Why were the children put in an orphanage? How many siblings were there? Why could we never find them in any records?" Some of their questions have been answered, and some of the answers have generated new questions. "We're looking for anyone who might have known them or who could fill in the blanks," Sharp says. "We'd really like to get information on the town name where they came from. We're targeting somebody who's older," Buell says, "anybody who might have information about the family or their descendants or who knew them back in Austria." Their grandfather, George Blake to them, died in 1969. "Where there once was a void in my life, now (there's) a deeper understanding why my grandfather would never talk about his life," Sharp says. "He would say it was too painful to remember if we tried to pry out any information from him." Sharp says her grandfather was a quiet man; he was kind and generous; and she always sensed a deep sadness about him - which has been borne out in the information she and her cousin have pieced together about the family. They had a few details to go on. Their grandfather told them he'd been born in Pueblo and spent time in a Catholic orphanage, which he didn't like and from which he always ran away. He knew his mother and father had been killed but he thought it was in a railroad accident and he didn't know their names. He mentioned a few of his brothers and sisters by name - it turns out there were nine children in the family - but nothing more about them. And he said he'd worked on a ranch near Dillon, for a kind man by the name of Ward, and that the rancher's wife had written letters to their grandfather's younger brother, Andrew, at the Pueblo orphanage. Andrew later went to work at the ranch, too. Working backward from the clue about the rancher, Sharp found her grandfather in the 1920 census for Summit County. He and Andrew were listed as hired hands for Edward Ward, but their names were listed as John and Andrew Pacejko, not George and Andrew Blake. She also found a World War I draft registration card for John Vincent Pacejko, who had registered in 1917 in Dillon. With the Pacejko name to go on, she and Buell recontacted researchers in Pueblo and recently learned about their grandfather's early life. Noreen Riffe, special collections librarian at the Robert Hoag Rawlings Public Library, found mortuary records for the father, Cyril Pacejko, who'd lost a leg working at one of the smelters and died 11 days later. She also found funeral records for the mother, Mary (Maria), who died four years later and left seven orphaned children; three - Frances, Anton or Tony, and Joseph - were old enough to live on their own but the youngest four were taken to the Catholic orphanage. Linda Youngs at Catholic Charities found the records of Mary, John, Andrew and Cyril Pacejko at Sacred Heart Orphanage. Margie Strescino, librarian for The Pueblo Chieftain, found articles about Cyril's accident and death and Mary's death, and is searching for an ad that was placed in 1918 when the family home was sold by the minor children's guardian, Mark Rehak. Bob Blazich of the St. Mary Church genealogy center found the record of a Pacejko child, Frank, who had died at 8 months, whom Sharp and Buell hadn't known about, and he found the mother's maiden name was Kotasik or Katasek. Kimberly Manchego at Roselawn Cemetery searched cemetery records and located Cyril and Mary's graves and now is looking for a grave for the baby, Frank, who appears in Roselawn records under the name Patrick, Frank (Pacejko). Sharp says she and Buell are very grateful to Puebloans for the kindness and interest they've shown, and the help they have provided. Cyril Pacejko immigrated to the United States in 1892; Mary (Maria) came in 1893 with three children. The 1900 census, taken in Pueblo, has them coming from Austria, though records at St. Mary Church say they were from Moravia (a region in what is now the Czech Republic). Another discrepancy is the spelling of their name; the 1900 census lists the surname as Patrick, but Sharp is sure it is the same family. She says the father, Cyril, probably didn't read or write and the name was spelled by the census taker as he heard it. And the Patrick family was on the census page following the page where Mark Rehak was listed; Rehak was from Moravia and later figured in the Pacejko children's lives. Cyril Pacejko died Sept. 29, 1903, and his wife died March 7, 1907. Their youngest child, Cyril, was born after his father's death, in 1904. Two of the couple's children died before they did: another son named Cyril (born in 1891, died sometime before 1900) and Frank (born in 1895, died at 8 months in 1896). Not everything Sharp and Buell have found is sad. They also have found evidence of kindness. Probate records show that the St. Mary's Ladies Society contributed $450 to a fund for the minor Pacejko children upon their mother's death in 1907, and a month later the Fraternal Aid Society contributed $557 to the fund. The two recently found two of their second cousins, the grandson of Frances and the grandson of Frances' sister, Mary (Marie). Frances was the oldest Pacejko child and she married Edward K. Schwass; she died Jan. 6, 1942, in San Francisco. They just learned about Mary (Marie) from an online genealogy message board. The writer says he found a woman by that name in the 1930 census taken in Muskegon, Mich., and that she had been born in Colorado, married Henry Jannenga, had a daughter named Marian, age 9 in 1930, and was buried Dec. 5, 1952, at Mona View Cemetery. Among the questions Sharp and Buell still would like answered are: What was the connection between the Pacejkos and Mark Rehak, and why was he named the children's guardian? From where in Moravia or Austria did the Pacejkos immigrate? Are there other family members they don't know about? Are there descendants of Anton, Joe and Cyril Pacejko (Patrick) who still live in Pueblo? What happened to all of the Pacejko children? Are Anton Patrick and his brother, Joseph, listed as living together with their families in the 1930 census taken in Pueblo, actually Anton and Joseph Pacejko, the brothers of John Pacejko? And why did their grandfather, John Pacejko, change his name to George Blake? Puebloans, can you help? To contact Debbie Sharp, write to her at P.O. Box 316, Sandy, Utah 84091; call her at (801) 597-7996; or e-mail her at dbsharp316@comcast.net .

Pueblo Chieftain 7-21-2007 – Group Focuses on Cathedral's Renovation – There are 19 individuals, couples or families listed as Friends of the Cathedral. Only seven actually are members of the inner-city parish, located at 11th Street and Grand Avenue, and none actually live within the Downtown parish's geographical boundaries. But all are rock-solid in their intent to take care of the historical church building and its most visible, maybe even most valuable, asset: the stained-glass windows installed in 1913 by what is now known as Emil Frei Associates Inc. of St. Louis, Mo. … Only a very few pieces of various windows will be sent back to St. Louis to be fashioned anew. One of those pieces is a dedicatory piece of glass for a window donor, John Lambert, who owned The Pueblo Chieftain in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He also founded the old Sacred Heart Orphanage in 1903.

Denver Post 10-3-2007 - Deputy Mayor's Book Tells of Life After Fleeing Cuba - As an 8-year-old, Bill Vidal shook the hand of Castro and later of Robert Kennedy in a period of upheaval. Denver's deputy mayor and manager of public works, Bill Vidal, may be one of the few people who shook the hand of both Fidel Castro and Robert F. Kennedy in 1959 - and he managed to do it at age 8. Vidal - better known to Denver residents as the man who maneuvered the city out of last winter's frozen streets - was among the child refugees who fled Cuba after Castro's revolution. He has written "Boxing for Cuba," a book in which he chronicles his personal turmoil after Castro turned his family's life on the island nation upside down and their efforts to escape and emigrate to the United States. "I wrote it to tell the story, to tell it to my kids so that they could have something to tie onto," Vidal said. "But it also became a journey of self-discovery. "I think the issue of immigration is one that burns in me pretty deeply. Most people don't realize just how difficult it is leaving everything you know ... and starting over in something that is so strange." Among the trials described in the book is Vidal's parents' decision to send their sons to the United States alone. Vidal and his brothers - who did not speak English at the time - were left alone in a Florida airport and shipped to the Sacred Heart Orphanage in Pueblo. On their way, Vidal and nine other children swept up in Operation Peter Pan met Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy in 1961. It was two years after Vidal's father had lifted him up to touch Castro as the soon-to-be dictator paraded across Cuba. Vidal also intimately reveals his private struggles in the years after his family's upheaval and settling in the U.S. He graduated from the University of Colorado at Denver and went on to become executive director of the state department of transportation and head of the Denver Regional Council of Governments before he was tapped by Mayor John Hickenlooper. "I never once thought about the issues that I've had to think about after, which is, 'Oh my god, I really put myself out there and people are going to read this,"' Vidal said. "But I thought it was a good thing to do, in that my children or anyone who reads it might get something positive out of it." Hickenlooper said he was impressed to by Vidal's ability as a storyteller. "He's such an excellent engineer and an excellent manager, and then you read this and see he is an excellent writer as well," the mayor said. The book, penned under Vidal's formal name, Guillermo Vincente Vidal, is set for release Nov. 15 through the local publishing house Ghost Road Press.  

Denver Post 1-15-2010 - Agencies Plan Airlift of Orphaned Haitian Children to U.S. - Miami - In a move mirroring Operation Pedro Pan in the 1960s, Catholic Charities and other South Florida immigrant rights organizations are planning an ambitious effort to airlift possibly thousands of Haitian children left orphaned in the aftermath of Tuesday's horrific earthquake. "We will use the model we used 40 years ago with Pedro Pan to bring these orphans to the United States to give them a lifeline, a bright and hopeful future," executive director Randolph McGrorty said Thursday. A temporary shelter in Broward County will house the children. McGrorty said Catholic Charities officials had been in contact with the Obama administration to assist in bringing the children from Haiti with humanitarian visas. Operation Pedro Pan was launched Dec. 26, 1960, as part of a clandestine effort to spirit children out of Fidel Castro's Cuba. By the time it ended 22 months later, 14,048 unaccompanied Cuban children ages 5-17 were brought to America, with the secret help of the U.S. government, which funded the effort and supplied the visa waivers. The children were relocated across the country to archdioceses in places such as Colorado, Nebraska, Washington and Indiana. There, they went to live in orphanages, foster homes and schools until their parents could find a way out of Cuba. One of those children was Gulliermo "Bill" Vidal, 58, now deputy mayor of Denver and manager of the city's public works department. "I think it's a good idea, but I don't know how many orphanages are available," he said Thursday. "Clearly they need to be rescued. I just don't know what kind of facilities they would be put into. "These kids will be very young. It's very traumatic to be pulled from your family and put somewhere with a different language, a different culture. But for us Cuban kids, it's what kept us alive."  

Pueblo Chieftain 1-11-2011 - Former Puebloan Set to Lead Denver - Bill Vidal Plans to be Mayor for Six Months - Denver - When Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper resigns as mayor of Denver this morning, he will pass that title to Bill Vidal, who couldn't have imagined such a moment when he arrived in Pueblo from Cuba 49 years ago. Ten-year-old Vidal didn't speak English, was thousands of miles from his parents, had the standard worries that younger kids do about how the older ones at the Sacred Heart Orphanage would treat them and was dwarfed in a shadow of uncertainty about the future. "We wondered if we would even survive the place," Vidal said. "So becoming the mayor of Denver is the most implausible miracle you can imagine." And that miracle got its footing in what Vidal found in Pueblo — kind treatment and encouragement from strangers who welcomed him when Operation Pedro Pan airlifted him away from his parents in Cuba early in Fidel Castro's administration and dropped him there. "So much of who I am and my roots go back to Pueblo," he said. "Pueblo is my American hometown." Vidal and his two brothers spent three years in Pueblo before being reunited with his parents upon their arrival in the United States. The family lived in Littleton. Vidal has been deputy mayor of Denver for six years, and during that time has overseen the city's department of public works. He will serve the remainder of Hickenlooper's term as mayor. An election in May will determine who takes over when Vidal's term concludes July 18. He is not seeking election to the office. Vidal plans to carry forward the vision that he and Hickenlooper shared for the city during his brief time as mayor. "I can't imagine in six months creating any new programs," he said. Developing an early budget proposal for 2012 will be one priority for Vidal. He also plans to move ahead with initiatives already under way that aim to create jobs in the city. Among them are road and sewer projects, a new police crime lab, a new library and a new fire station. Streamlining permitting for residential construction projects is another of Vidal's aims to spur the economy. He also expects to cope with the unexpected. "This is a big city," Vidal said. "A lot of things happen day-in and day-out that we can't predict." He hasn't made plans beyond filling the mayor's seat for the remainder of this term.  

Pueblo Chieftain 1-12-2011 - From Cuba to Denver Mayor - Guillermo 'Bill' Vidal Refers to Pueblo as His 'American Hometown' - Denver - A life's journey that began in pre-Castro Cuba and detoured through a Pueblo orphanage planted Guillermo "Bill" Vidal in the mayor of Denver's chair on Tuesday. Vidal was sworn in as the city's mayor to finish John Hickenlooper's term after Hickenlooper resigned Tuesday to take office as Colorado's 42nd governor. The handoff took place during a gathering of about 90 of Hickenlooper's and Vidal's friends, relatives and staff at the Denver City and County Building. Vidal has served as Hickenlooper's deputy mayor for six years. "I'm glad it's here," Vidal told The Pueblo Chieftain. "(Tuesday) is John's day. I'm just happy to share it with him. My day is coming up." Vidal's day is today. His inauguration ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. in the atrium of the Wellington Webb Building. He refers to Pueblo as his "American hometown." "Bill Vidal has been, from the very beginning, there at every turn as we created the agenda and began to imagine how you make good government, how you make responsive, caring government that can be more effective," Hickenlooper said. "This is the end of a great era for the city, for the John Hickenlooper administration, and it is bittersweet for me," Vidal said. "I'm thrilled to be given this opportunity, but I have to say how grateful I am for John's leadership. What he has done for the city has been immeasurable and priceless." Vidal was 10 years old when he and two brothers arrived at the Sacred Heart Orphanage in Pueblo. They had been airlifted from Cuba as part of Operation Pedro Pan while their parents stayed behind. The Vidal boys were reunited with their parents three years later and were raised in Littleton. Vidal will serve as mayor until July 18. An election in May will determine who takes over when his term concludes. He is not seeking election to the office.  Hickenlooper said he is comfortable leaving the city and county of Denver in Vidal's care. "I could not feel safer and more secure that all we've worked for will continue and get done at the highest level," Hickenlooper said.

Denver Post 1-13-2011 - Vidal Gets Teary Recalling Rise From Colo. Orphanage - Newly minted Denver Mayor Guillermo "Bill" Vidal had a strong feeling he would well up during his inaugural speech Wednesday as Denver's 44th mayor. Vidal prepared, setting a water-filled cup with a straw on the podium in the atrium of the Webb Building for strategic use when the waterworks began. Sure enough, while announcing his mother, his twin brothers and his children and recalling his incredible journey from being a 10-year-old Cuban refugee in a tough Pueblo orphanage to becoming mayor of the largest city in Colorado, Vidal fought back tears. "When I was growing up in an orphanage, I learned not to cry — you could get beat up worse," Vidal said, reaching for the cup. "I'll admit that lately I cry at beer commercials." Vidal's heartfelt and humorous 30-minute speech to city workers and community leaders hit the important issues facing the city — urging continued economic development, progress on FasTracks and a commitment from the business community to help examine the financial structure of city government. He made a plea to the city's law enforcement agencies that have been criticized for excessive force — calling on officers and deputies to "act in a manner that you would be proud of, no matter who is watching." "As citizens, we rightfully expect the actions of our uniformed officers to make us feel safe, not afraid," he said. Vidal also said becoming mayor shows the great possibilities for immigrants in this country and strongly urged "a comprehensive immigration solution that resolves the financial and legal concerns, but does so in a humane manner." Vidal, 59, has spent years as a public servant, working as head of the Colorado Department of Transportation, director of the Denver Regional Council of Governments and finally as manager of Denver's Public Works Department. He endured the withering snowstorm of 2006 and the aftermath that left islands of ice in city streets and spawned countless complaints from angry residents. He gave his successor in the position, George Delaney, some advice. "Remember, in public works, hell is not red, fiery and hot — it's cold, icy and white," he said. Vidal is mayor through July, being appointed after John Hickenlooper resigned to become governor. Hickenlooper kicked off the formalities by calling up new Colorado Supreme Court Justice Monica Marquez and Vidal for the ceremonial swearing-in. "I cannot think of anyone who is better suited," Hickenlooper said of Vidal. "I am so excited for him. I'm thrilled for him and for the city." Vidal is not among the already crowded field running for mayor, saying that he will end his term on his birthday and be an unemployed 60-year-old. Nevertheless, many believe Vidal will make his mark in his short stint. "I think we'll see some surprises from him as mayor," said at-large City Councilman Doug Linkhart, who is running for mayor. "He's not the kind of guy who just sits at his desk signing papers." City Auditor Dennis Gallagher said he has high hopes for Vidal. "He's going to be very good," he said. "I told him earlier, 'Don't think of this as an interim position. You are mayor.' "

Other children at Sacred Heart Orphanage from the Miami Herald Operation Pedro Pan database:

Hector Diaz Perez

Jose Arango Buzainz US Army

Mario J. Petrirena Pita [age 8] Artist. Currently (2007) sporting some of his paintings on buses in Atlanta, GA. "I was taken to a place called "Kendall". It was a large barracks-style building. The sobbing of young boys trying to fall asleep in a cold lonely place far from home was something I will never forget. I'm sure I was one of them." "Occasionally I wonder how my life would have been had I stayed behind, hmmm? Oh well, I really wish everyone what I wish for myself. The best of health and a little luck doesn't hurt."

1910 census

NAMEPOSITIONAGEGENDERBIRTHPLACE
?, Annaorphan14fColorado
?, Ceceliaorphan7fColorado
?, Cristinaorphan6fColorado
?, Feliceorphan12fColorado
?, Gaitoneorphan15mColorado
Agee, Arthurorphan8mColorado
Archuleta, Rufinaorphan10fColorado
Athel, Belleorphan11fColorado
Barton, Marjorieorphan10fColorado
Beaty, Georgeorphan7mColorado
Booth, Bommilorphan2mColorado
Burris, Samorphan12mColorado
Burris, Williamorphan10mColorado
Cantu, Kincaidorphan11mColorado
Cardone, Katieorphan13fColorado
Cardone, Thomasorphan11mColorado
Condon, Thomasorphan7mColorado
Condon, Willisorphan5mColorado
Cook, Bernaiseorphan8fColorado
Corsentino, Roseorphan9fColorado
Costa, Amaliaorphan6fColorado
Costa, Christianorphan11mColorado
Crawford, Lillianorphan9fColorado
Czapp, Ernestorphan7mColorado
Czapp, Rudolphorphan5mColorado
Davis, Ermerorphan14mColorado
Davis, Sadieorphan10fColorado
Davis, Sarahorphan13fColorado
Dickson, Clarenceorphan5mColorado
Dickson, Robertorphan7mColorado
Doyle, Annieorphan8fColorado
Doyle, Charlesorphan11mColorado
Doyle, Claraorphan11fColorado
Doyle, Maryorphan6fColorado
Doyle, Roseorphan2fColorado
Drinkard, Constanceorphan5fColorado
Drinkard, Fayeorphan12fColorado
Drinkard, Willieorphan11mColorado
Dueers, MaxorphanunkmColorado
Earl, Rosalineorphan13fColorado
Ehl, Annieorphan4fColorado
Ehl, Helenorphan8fColorado
Elming, Anthonyservant56mSwitzerland
Fabrizio, Carolinaorphan6fColorado
Fabrizio, Palamenaorphan4fColorado
Fabrizio, Rosieorphan10fColorado
Fass, Elizabethorphan12fColorado
Fitzpatrick, Mary orphan10fColorado
Fitzpatrick, Thomasorphan9mColorado
Forsentino, Roseorphan9fColorado
France, Berthaorphan15fColorado
France, Jennieorphan12fColorado
Freejler, Francesorphan8fColorado
Freejler, Naniorphan13fColorado
Freyke, Maryorphan13fColorado
Fritz, Gertrude Maryorphan10fColorado
Gahn, Freddieorphan10mColorado
Gahn, Maudeorphan9fColorado
Gallegos, Alexorphan12mColorado
George, Aboadorphan6mColorado
George, Helenorphan10fColorado
George, Iovan orphan4mColorado
George, Maryorphan5fColorado
George, Maryorphan13fColorado
George, Maudorphan13fColorado
Goldman, Bessieorphan4fColorado
Gonzales, Albinaorphan7fColorado
Haley, Louisaorphan11fColorado
Hamlin, Francesorphan16fColorado
Hamlin, Maryorphan18fColorado
Hanova, Berthaorphan15fColorado
Hanova, Jennieorphan12fColorado
Hanson, Cliftonorphan9mColorado
Harg, Mary orphan10fColorado
Harsch, Francesorphan16fColorado
Harsch, Maryorphan18fColorado
Hein, Maryorphan2fColorado
Henneder, Adeleorphan13fColorado
Hogan, Edwardorphan5mColorado
Hogan, Johnorphan8mColorado
Hopke, Josephorphan4mPennsylvania
Hopko, Aliceorphan10fPennsylvania
Hopko, Francesorphan8fColorado
Hopko, Mikeorphan5mColorado
Hughes, Gertrudeorphan13fColorado
Joheus, Caldoneorphan13mColorado
Joheus, Elsieorphan11fColorado
Joheus, Jennieorphan14fColorado
Joheus, Maudeorphan11fColorado
Joheus, Pearlclergy15fIreland
Kahn, Freddieorphan10mColorado
Kalcich, Anthonyorphan8mIreland
Keep, Maryorphan13fIreland
Malen, Louiseorphan11fIreland
Martinez, Philliporphan11mColorado
Mary AdolphineSister27fGermany
Mary AnthonySister46fSwitzerland
Mary BlandinaSister40fIllinois
Mary ClaraSister45fWisconsin
Mary ClementineSister38fMissouri
Mary FabianaSister30fGermany
Mary FranciatiaSister45fGermany
Mary FranciscaSister39fGermany
Mary GertousaSister45fGermany
Mary GertrudeSister46fGermany
Mary GregoriaSister29fGermany
Mary ImaculateSister21fGermany
Mary InocentiaSister46fMissouri
Mary LudzeraSister35fTexas
Mary MartinaSister37fMinnesota
Mary PaulSister45fMissouri
Mary RegidiaSister50fWisconsin
Mary TheclaSister38fMissouri
Mary UrsulaSister45fIllinois
May, Ceceliaorphan1fColorado
May, Clotildeorphan6fColorado
May, Elizabethorphan8fColorado
May, Maryorphan10fColorado
McCarthy, John orphan12mColorado
McCarthy, Josephorphan6mColorado
McCarthy, Maryorphan10fColorado
McNamara, Johnorphan11mColorado
McNeelis, Ellaorphan11fColorado
McNeelis, Katherineorphan17fColorado
McNeelis, Marthaorphan14fColorado
McRulisha, ?orphan12Colorado
McRulisha, Ellaorphan11fColorado
McRulisha, Therineorphan17fColorado
Mecalvy, Maryorphan16fColorado
Medina. Louisaorphan9fColorado
Meyers, Eddieorphan6mColorado
Mills, Eddieorphan14mColorado
Mismas, Annieorphan9fColorado
Mismas, Rosieorphan11fColorado
Moreno, Anthonyorphan7mColorado
Pacejka, Andreworphan8mColorado
Pacejka, Cyrilorphan5mColorado
Pacejka, Johnorphan11mColorado
Pacejka, Mary orphan12fColorado
Phelan, P.G.clergy31mColorado
Pings, Maryorphan11fColorado
Price, Arthurorphan4mColorado
Rafferty, Frankorphan7mColorado
Rafferty, Margueriteorphan5fColorado
Rafferty, Patrickorphan4mColorado
Rafferty, Theresaorphan1fColorado
Reidinger, Harryorphan7mColorado
Reidinger, Jackorphan5mColorado
Riely, Geonaorphan14fColorado
Rodriguez, Adelineorphan9fColorado
Rodriguez, Alfredorphan5mColorado
Schering, Nellieorphan9fColorado
Schunko, Maryorphan12fColorado
Schunko, Rudyorphan8mColorado
Sever, AdamorphanunkmColorado
Sever, Maryorphan3fColorado
Shea, Johnorphan11mColorado
Shepherd, Milesorphan11mColorado
Shields, Lillianorphan15fColorado
Snyder, Nellieorphan12fColorado
Sollman, Bessieorphan4fColorado
Spillane, Anastaciaorphan5fColorado
Spillane, Georgeorphan11mColorado
Steward, Fayeorphan6fColorado
Stiff, Caleborphan10mColorado
Stiff, Olaorphan7fColorado
Stiff, Veraorphan8fColorado
Sullivan, Aloysiusorphan5mColorado
Sullivan, Earnestorphan5mColorado
Sullivan, Josephorphan8mColorado
Sullivan, Katherinaorphan14fColorado
Tehurz, Antonorphan5mColorado
Tolemazo, Albinaorphan9fColorado
Vail, Laurieorphan7fColorado
Vigil, Refugiaorphan10fColorado
Williams, Albertorphan4mColorado
Williams, Charlesorphan2mColorado
Williams, Fredorphan9mColorado
Williams, Robertorphan7mColorado
Wolf, Annieorphan9fColorado
Wolf, Johnorphan7mColorado
Wood, Fernorphan9fColorado
Wood, Frankorphan10mColorado

1920 Census

NAMEPOSITIONGENDERRACEAGEBIRTHPLACEFATHER'SMOTHER'S
Allison, Howardpupilmalewhite9United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Aragon, Dorapupilfemalewhite11United StatesSpainSpain
Ashmiller, Eleanorapupilfemalewhite7United StatesAustriaAustria
Bazzanella, Josephpupilmalewhite3y 10mUnited StatesAustriaAustria
Bazzanella, Mariapupilfemalewhite6United StatesAustriaAustria
Bonner, Gertrudesister of charityfemalewhite26ColoradoPennsylvaniaPennsylvania
Boyer, Alicepupilfemalewhite12United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Boyer, Ceceliapupilfemalewhite10United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Bronish, Etanpupilmalewhite11United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Burci, Delorespupilfemalewhite16United StatesItalyItaly
Burci, Floridopupilmalewhite10United StatesItalyItaly
Bussold, Annasister of charityfemalewhite40GermanyGermanyGermany
Buzz, Frankpupilmalewhite6United StatesAustriaAustria
Buzz, Juliapupilfemalewhite8United StatesAustriaAustria
Buzz, Peterpupilmalewhite7United StatesAustriaAustria
Chambers, Donaldpupilmalewhite7United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Chambers, Johnpupilmalewhite6United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Cline, Marypupilfemalewhite12United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Coleman, Margeretpupilfemalewhite13United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Coleman, Sarahpupilfemalewhite11United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Dimmick, Ameilpupilmalewhite3United StatesSerbiaSerbia
Dimmick, Emiliepupilfemalewhite9United StatesSerbiaSerbia
Dimmick, Helenpupilfemalewhite11United StatesSerbiaSerbia
Dimmick, Mamiepupilfemalewhite8United StatesSerbiaSerbia
Dimmick, Marypupilfemalewhite5United StatesSerbiaSerbia
Drinkard, Constancepupilmalewhite14United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Faist, Idasister of charityfemalewhite39Oberndorff GermanyGermanyGermany
Fox, Helenpupilfemalewhite6United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Fox, Juliapupilfemalewhite3y 7mUnited StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Fox, Margeretpupilfemalewhite7United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Fox, Williampupilmalewhite11United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Fulton, Jamespupilmalewhite9United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Ganchel, Marysister of charityfemalewhite40Westfalia GermanyCologne GermanyNassua Germany
Garcia, Constanciapupilfemalewhite12United StatesSpainSpain
Garcia, Luciapupilfemalewhite10United StatesSpainSpain
Goche, Marysister of charityfemalewhite40MissouriGermanyMissouri
Grey, Almapupilfemalewhite7United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Grey, Alvinpupilmalewhite9United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Grey, Edwinpupilmalewhite5United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Grey, Orvalpupilmalewhite4y 5mUnited StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Hambrur, Johannasister of charityfemalewhite38WisconsinGermanyGermany
Hayes, Frankpupilmalewhite5United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Hayes, Jackpupilmalewhite12United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Hayes, Joepupilmalewhite9United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Hayes, Woodroepupilmalewhite7United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Held, Leonorasister of charityfemalewhite57Hanover GermanyGermanyGermany
Hernandez, Louisapupilfemalewhite16United StatesSpainSpain
Hildenbrant, Edwardjanitormalewhite57Rothweiter GermanyRothweiter GermanyRothweiter Germany
Hoke, Gracepupilfemalewhite14United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Holak, Marypupilfemalewhite13United StatesAustriaAustria
Horvatin, Emilepupilfemalewhite5United StatesCroatiaCroatia
Horvatin, Josephinepupilfemalewhite6United StatesCroatiaCroatia
Horvatin, Rudolphpupilmalewhite3y 2mUnited StatesCroatiaCroatia
Imanz, Rosalinsister of charityfemalewhite47Mingus GermanyMingus GermanyMingus Germany
Ivey, Marypupilfemalewhite7United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Ivey, Olanepupilfemalewhite9United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Ivey, Violetpupilfemalewhite4y 4mUnited StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Ivey, Williepupilmalewhite11United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Kappel, Leopoldpupilmalewhite12United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Killian, Mariepupilfemalewhite10United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Kimmick, Frankpupilmalewhite8United StatesSlovoniaSlovonia
Kimmick, Helenpupilfemalewhite6United StatesSlovoniaSlovonia
Kimmick, Joepupilmalewhite7United StatesSlovoniaSlovonia
Kimmick, Johnpupilmalewhite10United StatesSlovoniaSlovonia
Kimmick, Williepupilmalewhite4United StatesSlovoniaSlovonia
Krane, Christinesister of charityfemalewhite41GermanyGermanyHolland
Lacani, Angelosister of charityfemalewhite30IllinoisIllinoisIllinois
Leal, Lolapupilfemalewhite9United StatesSpainSpain
Marcella, Evapupilfemalewhite12United StatesAustriaAustria
Marcella, Joepupilmalewhite8United StatesAustriaAustria
Marcella, Johnpupilmalewhite11United StatesAustriaAustria
Marcella, Marypupilfemalewhite9United StatesAustriaAustria
Martinez, Elizapupilfemalewhite9United StatesSpainSpain
Masters, Jamespupilmalewhite3y 4mUnited StatesJewishUnited States
Masters, Sophiapupilfemalewhite6United StatesJewishUnited States
McKelvey, Barbarapupilfemalewhite9United StatesIrelandIreland
McKelvey, Catherinepupilfemalewhite14United StatesIrelandIreland
Mclaughlin, Margeretpupilfemalewhite10United StatesIrelandIreland
Mclaughlin, Thomaspupilmalewhite8United StatesIrelandIreland
Medina, Ramoncitapupilfemalewhite15United StatesSpainSpain
Michelak, Joepupilmalewhite9United StatesAustriaAustria
Michelak, Marypupilfemalewhite13United StatesAustriaAustria
Michelak, Rosiepupilfemalewhite11United StatesAustriaAustria
Miller, Rosasister of charityfemalewhite45Moulen Germany?Moulen Germany?Germany
Moore, Gracesister of charityfemalewhite23MissouriMissouriMissouri
Obrien, Regispupilmalewhite8United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
O'Conner, Everettpupilmalewhite10United StatesIrelandIreland
O'Conner, Frankpupilmalewhite11United StatesIrelandIreland
O'Conner, Jessepupilmalewhite8United StatesIrelandIreland
O'Hare, Lawrencepupilmalewhite8United StatesIrelandIreland
O'Key, Dorothypupilfemalewhite2y 4mUnited StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Osborne, Allenpupilmalewhite8United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Pacyko, Cyriopupilmalewhite15United StatesAustriaAustria
Palmer, Georgepupilmalewhite8United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Palsa, Annapupilfemalewhite6United StatesAustriaAustria
Palsa, Johnpupilmalewhite5United StatesAustriaAustria
Palsa, Marypupilfemalewhite10United StatesAustriaAustria
Pawlowski, Mariasister of charityfemalewhite40West Prussia GermanyWest Prussia GermanyGermany
Pelton, Georgepupilmalewhite7United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Pelton, Hildapupilfemalewhite13United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Pelton, Mariepupilfemalewhite17AlaskaAlaskaAlaska
Perfetto, Dominicopupilmalewhite10United StatesItalyItaly
Petocher, Andrewpupilmalewhite13United StatesUnited StatesAustria
Petrocco, Angelinapupilfemalewhite5United StatesItalyItaly
Petrocco, Frankpupilmalewhite3y 6mUnited StatesItalyItaly
Petrocco, Tomasinapupilfemalewhite7United StatesItalyItaly
Phelan, Patrick J.clergyman patientmalewhite42IrelandIrelandIreland
Pimmer, Cresintiasister of charityfemalewhite49Baden GermanyBaden GermanyBaden Germany
Pollmiss, Annasister of charityfemalewhite49Westfalia GermanyWestfalia GermanyWestfalia Germany
Powell, Gladyspupilfemalewhite10United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Powell, Granvillepupilmalewhite6United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Powell, Howardpupilmalewhite9United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Prutscher, Mariasister of charityfemalewhite27AustriaViennaAustria
Rafferty, Margeretpupilfemalewhite13United StatesIrelandIreland
Rafferty, Patrickpupilmalewhite11United StatesIrelandIreland
Rafferty, Tresapupilfemalewhite10United StatesIrelandIreland
Ranch, Marysister of charityfemalewhite53MinnesotaGermanyGermany
Richner, Teresasister of charityfemalewhite28WisconsinWestfalia GermanyWestfalia Germany
Rodekirchen, Agnespupilfemalewhite3y 10mUnited StatesGermanyGermany
Rodekirchen, Francispupilmalewhite10United StatesGermanyGermany
Rodekirchen, Hermanpupilmalewhite11United StatesGermanyGermany
Rodekirchen, Marypupilfemalewhite15United StatesGermanyGermany
Russo, Henrypupilmalewhite12United StatesItalyItaly
Russo, Muriettapupilfemalewhite10United StatesItalyItaly
Salvador, Angelopupilmalewhite5SpainSpainSpain
Salvador, Ceaserpupilmalewhite8SpainSpainSpain
Schaefer, Teresasister of charityfemalewhite40MissouriGermanyGermany
Schell, Annapupilfemalewhite11United StatesGermanyGermany
Schell, Marypupilfemalewhite10United StatesGermanyGermany
Schmitt, Anthonypupilmalewhite7United StatesGermanyGermany
Schmitt, Elmerpupilmalewhite5United StatesGermanyGermany
Schwarz, Annasister of charityfemalewhite39MissouriGermanyGermany
Setter, Martinpupilmalewhite5United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Setter, Theodorepupilmalewhite9United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Setter, Williampupilmalewhite8United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Sheehan, Jamespupilmalewhite4y 4mUnited StatesIrelandIreland
Sheehan, Johnpupilmalewhite6United StatesIrelandIreland
Sheehan, Robertpupilmalewhite2y 5mUnited StatesIrelandIreland
Shiner, Annapupilfemalewhite10United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Shiner, Harrypupilmalewhite12United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Sister M. Clarasister superiorfemalewhite55WisconsinLuxemberg GermanyLuxemberg Germany
Spickelmire, Raymondpupilmalewhite9United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Stockbridge, Electrapupilfemalewhite13United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Stremtenberger, Williampupilmalewhite9United StatesGermanyGermany
Sullivan, Agnespupilfemalewhite1y 9mUnited StatesIrelandIreland
Swatzell, Isabelpupilfemalewhite5United StatesFranceFrance
Swatzell, Valentinepupilmalewhite7United StatesFranceFrance
Troffer, Frankpupilmalewhite11mUnited StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Uceman, Francespupilfemalewhite15United StatesAustriaAustria
Uceman, Isabelpupilfemalewhite13United StatesAustriaAustria
Van Hee, Rosepupilfemalewhite8United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Verbick, Alfonspupilmalewhite12United StatesAustriaAustria
Verbick, Joepupilmalewhite14United StatesAustriaAustria
Watkins, Georgepupilmalewhite6United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Wiles, Evelynpupilfemalewhite11United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Willis, Elizabethpupilfemalewhite10United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Willis, Jackpupilmalewhite8United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
Yangine, Johnniepupilmalewhite9United StatesAustriaAustria
Yangine, Mikepupilmalewhite11United StatesAustriaAustria
Yangine, Tonypupilmalewhite12United StatesAustriaAustria

1930 census Sacred Heart Orphanage

NAMEPOSITIONGENDERRACEAGEMARITALBIRTHPLACEFATHER'SMOTHER'S
Ayon, CarmilitaOrphanFW16SColoradoMexicoMexico
Barenticis, AntonOrphanMW12SNew MexicoAustriaAustria
Bastje, RobertOrphanMW3SColoradoColoradoColorado
Bobnick, AnnaOrphanFW8SColoradoAustriaAustria
Bobnick, JohnOrphanMW7SColoradoAustriaAustria
Bobnick, JosephOrphanMW10SColoradoAustriaAustria
Bobnick, MaryOrphanFW10SColoradoAustriaAustria
Bueno, NarciciaOrphanMW6SColoradoItalyUS
Burkhardt, GeorgeOrphanMW6SColoradoUSUS
Burkhardt, LesOrphanMW8SColoradoUSUS
Busgal, ElizabethOrphanFW9SColoradoGermanyGermany
Chambers, LoisOrphanFW14SColoradoColoradoColorado
Coezetta, MaryOrphanFW19UnColoradoItalyColorado
Conatora, JosephineOrphanFW5SColoradoUSUS
Conatora, RoseOrphanFW7SColoradoUSUS
Dahlalio, AntonOrphanMW4SColoradoMexicoMexico
DeSallis, AntonyOrphanMW8SColoradoColoradoColorado
DeSallis, PerrineOrphanMW10SColoradoColoradoColorado
Ellaher, Gay BellOrphanFW12SColoradoUSUS
Frainor, RoseOrphanFW8SColoradoColoradoColorado
Frainor, TressaOrphanFW10SColoradoColoradoColorado
Garcia, JohnOrphanMW11SColoradoSpainSpain
Garcia, PeterOrphanMW9SColoradoSpainSpain
Gollaher, CynthiaOrphanFW13SColoradoUSUS
Gomez, MarieOrphanFW9SColoradoUSUS
Gomez, MarthaOrphanFW8SColoradoUSUS
Gradyran, AnnaOrphanFW10SColoradoAustriaUS
Gradyran, GeorgeOrphanMW6SUtahAustriaUS
Gradyran, MaryOrphanFW7SColoradoAustriaUS
Gray, ClarenceOrphanMW10SColoradoColoradoColorado
Gray, EvaOrphanFW9SColoradoColoradoColorado
Gray, MarionOrphanFW6SColoradoColoradoColorado
Gray, RobertOrphanMW7SColoradoColoradoColorado
Hunter, JamesOrphanMW10SColoradoColoradoColorado
Hunter, Ruth L.OrphanFW13SColoradoColoradoColorado
Ihilcago, CatherineOrphanFW7SColoradoFranceFrance
Ihilcago, FernandoOrphanFW6SColoradoFranceFrance
Jaramillo, MathildaOrphanFW9SColoradoSpainSpain
Jaramillo, MargaretOrphanFW3SColoradoSpainSpain
Jelley, Anna M.OrphanFW14SColoradoIrelandNorway
Jelley, LouellaOrphanFW12SColoradoIrelandNorway
Kelly, BurtOrphanMW8SColoradoIrelandNorway
Kelly, LincolnOrphanMW10SColoradoIrelandNorway
Kinney, PeterYardmanMW27UnColoradoIrelandUS
Koback, AndrewOrphanMW8SColoradoColoradoColorado
Koback, EdwardOrphanMW12SColoradoColoradoColorado
Koback, JosephOrphanMW6SColoradoColoradoColorado
Lascor, GeorgeOrphanMW9SColoradoFranceFrance
Lascor, LeoOrphanMW9SColoradoFranceFrance
Lascor, MartinOrphanMW10SColoradoFranceFrance
Lascor, PeterOrphanMW12SColoradoFranceFrance
Lascor, WittramOrphanMW11SColoradoFranceFrance
Lascor, ElizabethOrphanFW6SColoradoFranceFrance
Marquez, AlfredOrphanMW9SColoradoMexicoMexico
Marquez, MargaretOrphanFW2SColoradoMexicoMexico
Marquez, Mary G.OrphanFW5SColoradoMexicoMexico
Marquez, StephenOrphanMW4SColoradoMexicoMexico
Matich, JohnOrphanMW13SUtahAustriaAustria
Matich, NellieOrphanFW15SUtahAustriaAustria
McClavec, JosephOrphanMW10SColoradoAustriaAustria
McDonald, RichardOrphanMW7SIowaUSUS
McDonald, WilliamOrphanMW8SIowaUSUS
McGrade, FrankOrphanMW14SColoradoIrelandUS
McGrade, MargaretOrphanFW4SColoradoIrelandUS
McQuillan, HaroldOrphanMW7SKansasKansasKansas
McQuillan, PeterOrphanMW10SKansasKansasKansas
Mestas, AuroraOrphanFW7SColoradoSpainSpain
Mestas, BenjaminOrphanMW8SColoradoSpainSpain
Mestas, ElaineOrphanFW6SColoradoSpainSpain
Mestas, MaryOrphanFW11SColoradoSpainSpain
Miclavec, BarbaraOrphanFW8SColoradoAustriaAustria
Novack, TressaOrphanFW10SColoradoAustriaColorado
Patterson, Henry J.YardmanMW65UnCanada - EngDenmarkIreland
Perko, Frances E.DomesticFW19UnColoradoAustriaAustria
Phelan, JosepheneOrphanFW26SEnglandIrelandIreland
Phelan, MaryOrphanFW38SIrelandIrelandIreland
Phelan, Rev. Patrick J.ChaplainMW53SIrelandIrelandIreland
Porecco, ErnestOrphanMW9SColoradoItalyItaly
Porecco, JamesOrphanMW6SColoradoItalyItaly
Porecco, JuliusOrphanMW11SColoradoItalyItaly
Porecco, ThomasOrphanMW5SColoradoItalyItaly
Reckis, AgnesOrphanFW5SColoradoAustriaUS
Reed, HallenOrphanFW7SColoradoIrelandItaly
Reed, WallaceOrphanMW4SColoradoIrelandItaly
Richis, AlexOrphanMW8SColoradoAustriaAustria
Richis, NicholasOrphanMW9SColoradoAustriaAustria
Roybal, RoseOrphanFW7SColoradoSpainSpain
Sabo, AlbertOrphanMW6SColoradoColoradoColorado
Sabo, AliceOrphanFW15SColoradoAustriaUS
Sabo, DorothyOrphanFW9SColoradoAustriaUS
Satoitilli, JermyOrphanFW14SColoradoItalyItaly
Serna, MaryOrphanFW11SColoradoMexicoMexico
Serna, RubyOrphanFW13SColoradoMexicoMexico
Sister Adahinda Charity WorkerFW30SMissouriMissouriMissouri
Sister Adelaide TeacherFW36SWisconsinGermanyGermany
Sister Adolphine Charity WorkerFW45SGermanyGermanyGermany
Sister Anunciata Charity WorkerFW43SGermanyGermanyGermany
Sister Aquiora Charity WorkerFW33SIowaGermanyGermany
Sister Armelinda TeacherFW36SColoradoPennsylvaniaPennsylvania
Sister Aurelia Ass. SuperintentFW64SGermanyGermanyGermany
Sister Camilla SuperiorFW46SWisconsinHollandHolland
Sister DePaul Charity WorkerFW23SMissouriMissouriMissouri
Sister Desideria SecretaryFW51SMissouriGermanyMissouri
Sister Digua Charity WorkerFW28SGermanyGermanyGermany
Sister Georgia Charity WorkerFW35SWisconsinGermanyGermany
Sister Grace Charity WorkerFW22SArkansasAustriaUS
Sister Hildegard SeamstressFW60SGermanyGermanyGermany
Sister Ildephonse Charity WorkerFW46SMissouriGermanyMissouri
Sister Leopoldina IllFW37SGermanyGermanyGermany
Sister Loyala NurseFW42SWisconsinEnglandEngland
Sister Marcelline TeacherFW23SColoradoAustriaAustria
Sister Morita Charity WorkerFW22SWisconsinGermanyGermany
Sister Paneratia Charity WorkerFW62SGermanyGermanyGermany
Sister Rosalie Charity WorkerFW64SGermanyGermanyGermany
Sister Trudbuta LaundressFW34SGermanyGermanyGermany
Sister Veronica Charity WorkerFW58SGermanyGermanyGermany
Stegman, DorothyOrphanFW9SColoradoColoradoColorado
Sullivan, AgnesOrphanFW12SColoradoIrelandIreland
Taylor, EllaOrphanFW12SColoradoUSUS
Taylor, WillisOrphanMW8SColoradoUSUS
Tezak, AngelineOrphanFW12SColoradoAustriaAustria
Tezak, WilliamOrphanMW13SColoradoAustriaAustria
Thitcago, RaymondOrphanFW5SColoradoFranceFrance
Thitcago, RobertOrphanMW5SColoradoFranceFrance
Tomsick, MargaretOrphanFW7SColoradoAustriaAustria
Tomsick, StephenOrphanMW4SColoradoAustriaAustria
Torrez, FrankOrphanMW4SColoradoMexicoMexico
Torrez, JosephOrphanMW8SColoradoMexicoMexico
Torrez, SamuelOrphanMW10SColoradoMexicoMexico
Trainor, EugeneOrphanMW12SColoradoCanada - EngCanada - Eng
Trinidad, PaulOrphanMW10SColoradoMexicoMexico
Trinidad, SarahOrphanFW6SColoradoMexicoMexico
Trinidad, SimonOrphanMW8SColoradoMexicoMexico
Velasquez, GuadalupeOrphanFW14SColoradoMexicoMexico
Washington, AmandaOrphanFW12SColoradoMexicoMexico
White, GladysOrphanFW9SColoradoUSUS
Williams, JamesOrphanMW8SColoradoColoradoColorado
Williams, LuellaOrphanFW6SColoradoColoradoColorado
Yank, JohnOrphanMW8SColoradoAustriaAustria
Zabislan, Betty AnneOrphanFW3SColoradoUSUS
Zabislan, GertrudeOrphanFW10SColoradoUSUS
Zavialan, GeorgeOrphanMW7SColoradoColoradoColorado
Zavialan, ThomasOrphanMW5SColoradoColoradoColorado


Additional persons in this orphanage:

Dan Chavez III from 1948 to 1962

Herb Chavez about 1960's

Ann and Mary Holak. Although Mary is listed in the 1920 census of the orphanage, Ann is not, but she was also there. Their grandfather Jozef Schmal took both of them to the Orphanage. Their their birth country was Czechoslovakia.

Pricilla Jean Ball Cowen
PJ Cowan writes wonderful children's stories. They are full of colorful characters whose adventures teach your child as well as entertain. The simple language is easy to read and your children will not want to put the books down.
PJ explains:
As of this posting, I am Seventy-seven and counting. I decided at seventy-three that it was time to get down to business and publish my stories so my great-grand children would have something by which to remember Great-granny PJ.
Pricilla Jean Ball was born on Dec. 2,1933, at 10:15pm. Her birth is registered in the county of RioGrande, the town of DelNorte Colorado. She was born in a log cabin in the Colorado Mountains. Growing up in the depression, she did not have easy access to books. During her earliest years, until she turned nine, she lived  at  Sacred Heart Orphanage and Boarding School in Pueblo Colorado.
As a child she  struggled with dyslexia. This prevented her from being able to read. When the nuns would read to the class, she  would memorize them.
In 2009, PJ began donating copies of her books to children's organizations in Oregon, Utah, Colorado and California. She currently resides in Tigard, Oregon.

Bill Vidal's portrait of pre-Castro Cuba compellingly reveals how the regime change of 60 years ago affected both his family and the island's other well-to-do residents. Initially supportive of the new government, his father lost both his property and his livelihood, resulting in a decision by him and his wife to send their three boys to the U.S. on one of the so-called Peter Pan flights, along with 14,000 other Cuban children. Despite their parents' very dysfunctional relationship, life without family and homeland proved an almost overwhelming challenge. Instead of the promised foster home, the children ended up in the startlingly abusive environment of a Catholic orphanage in Pueblo, Colorado, until their parents were able to rescue them and once again establish a home. Readers will empathize strongly with the efforts of the boys' father to reestablish himself in an alien environment, and with their mother, who finally leaves the family to be near family in Miami. Bill's eventual success as Deputy Mayor and Manager of Public Works for the City and County of Denver offers hope and inspiration. The rapprochement between Bill and his complicated parents before their deaths is a poignant testimony to the power of family and the character of the man. Reminiscent of Carlos Eire's moving memoir, "Waiting for Snow in Havana," Vidal's book is more gritty, more personal, more frank, more open.

Gerald Norman Smith ( August 1, 1934 - April 17, 2011 )
Gerry was born to Loretta G. Smith and Donald G. Smith in Rocky Ford, Colorado. He was later placed in Sacred Heart Orphanage in Pueblo, Colorado.
After graduation from Mullen High School in Denver, he spent four years in the U.S. Air Force. He held superintendent of schools positions in Kettle Falls, Washington, Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, then McCleary, Washington.
Gerry moved to Port Townsend in 1984 and to Sequim in 2002. He enjoyed fishing, growing fuchsias, trips in his motor home that included his pets and watching the pair of eagles that nested in the back of his home.
While on vacation, he suddenly became ill and passed away at the LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City.
His wife, Margaret Preston, and daughter, Tracey, were with him.
Gerry was first married to Jo Ann Sheers and had a son, Gregory, and daughters, Sara and Karla.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Loretta Gregory of Port Townsend, and infant daughter, Sara.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret; son Gregory of Boise, Idaho; daughter Karla Smith-Jones of Seattle; stepdaughters Sarah Franklin of Denver, Tracey Heller of Fence Lake, New Mexico, and Lisa Preston of Sequim.
Memorial Mass will be at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Sequim, 121 East Maple Street, at 8:30 a.m. Friday, June 24, 2011. Also, at 12:30 p.m., there will be a reception at Gerry's home at 698 Oak View Place, Sequim.
Published in The Peninsula Daily News on June 23, 2011

September 11, 2002  
'Sister Maggie' reflects on life of Franciscan service
Reared at north Denver orphanage, nun resides in senior home that replaced it
By Jack Bacon

For Franciscan Sister Mary Magdalene Ryan, there's one place like home. "Sister Maggie," who celebrated her 82nd birthday in June, arrived at West 26th Avenue and Osceola Street in Denver when she was 12. It was St. Clara's Orphanage then.

She's there now, a resident of Francis Heights sharing an office with Franciscan Sister Theresa Langfield and coordinator of its food co-op for the elderly who also live there. The orphanage was closed Jan. 1, 1968, and Francis Heights was built on the site.

"My mother had died and taking care of us, especially the girls, was difficult for a single man," she said.

Her father had moved the family from Kansas, where he worked at the Army's Fort Riley cavalry post, because of an asthma condition and became a coal miner. His daughters' two older brothers "were pretty much on their own by then," she said.

The family lived in Longmont and belonged to St. John the Baptist Parish. A widowed woman in the parish who had a son and a daughter at St. Clara's because of similar circumstances suggested to Mary Magdalene's father that his daughters, she and 8-year-old Betty, could go to school there, too.

Arrangements were made through Benedictine Father Justin McKernan, St. John's pastor, and the girls enrolled in St. Clara's school in the fall of 1933.

"It was more a boarding school for us," she recalled. "We lived there but went home in the summer and for holidays."

She decided to become a Franciscan when she graduated from the eighth grade at St. Clara's, entered the Franciscan novitiate at the order's mother house, then in St. Louis, and took her first vows in 1937, working at St. Anthony Hospital and the order's orphanage in St. Louis until she was assigned to the orphanage in Pueblo, Sacred Heart Home, in 1942. She first returned to St. Clara's, from Pueblo, in 1957, working with the orphanage's younger children, some "graduates" of the Infant of Prague nursery opened on the site in the 1940s to care for babies until they were about 2.

In those days, she was Sister Daniel — among changes being made by religious orders was the nuns' option of returning to the use of their given names, which Sister Maggie did.

She returned to Pueblo as Sacred Heart Home's population swelled in the wake of Fidel Castro's takeover of Cuba. Cuban parents feared the Communist dictator planned to send children from the island to the Soviet Union for training, and responded by sending their children secretly by the thousands to the United States.

"Two parishes there (Cuba) sent nearly 100" to the Pueblo home, she said. "They stayed until their parents could get to the United States." She's still in touch with some of them, especially an Arizona businessman who arrived at Sacred Heart when he was 12 with two younger siblings, ages 4 and 7.

She was housemother for the orphanage — "doing everything a mother does." Not all the children were orphans. A number were sent to St. Rose Home by their parents in smaller Southern Colorado towns "who wanted their children to get a Catholic education." Sister Maggie returned to St. Louis and then spent five years at the order's retreat center in Wheaton, Ill., before being reassigned to Francis Heights in Denver in 1972. She's been here ever since.

She's proud of the Franciscan order's record of service to Denver's children and, more recently, its aging population, and was active in steps to preserve some of the signs of its service, including the original bell tower that now stands on the grounds at Francis Heights — its restoration financed in part by money from Sister Maggie's late sister's estate. Betty died at the home this year.

"The sisters have been here 101 years ... a long time," she said. At its peak, St. Clara's was home to more than 360 children, boys and girls. "I enjoyed the years I worked in the orphanage as a house mother, and I really enjoy working with the elderly."

She and her family remained close throughout the years. She suffered the loss of three siblings in the span of 18 months recently.

Two stepbrothers also entered religious orders. Both are deceased.

Sister Maggie, a Franciscan for 65 years, noted none of her contemporaries in the order is still in active service.

"I'm the only one still in harness," she said. Will she retire soon?

"Retire," she said with a chuckle. "What's that?"

Pueblo Chieftain 9-26-2009 – Stines Story – Luauna Stines, author of "A Mother's Story," will speak at 6 p.m. today and 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday at Victory Life Ministries, 2315 Sprague Ave., in the old Sacred Heart Orphanage, where she spent time as a child. Stines married at the age of 15 and her husband was murdered, leaving her to raise her two children as a single mother. Admission is free.

Pueblo Chieftain 10-13-2009 – Natural Woman – San Luis – The names roll off her tongue like music. Yerba buena, capulin, romero, osha, poleo - plants long used by San Luis Valley peoples to heal, to nourish, to season, to please. Herbalist Teresa de Jesus Berlinda Vigil shows the plants, in various applications, in the tiny gift shop adjacent to Sangre de Cristo Church where she's a volunteer. There are sweet, fragrant dried bundles; jewel-like jars of jelly; dream pillows made from calming herbs; tinctures; pomanders; bags of potpourri; decorative arrangements of colored leaves, tiny gourds and fall-burnished apples; show-and-tell posters with plant specimens and their names in Spanish and English. Outdoors in the large churchyard, she points out milkweed, common juniper, ponderosa pine, hollyhock, elderberry, crab apple, shepherd's purse, mullein and what sounds like a personal favorite - quelitas or wild spinach, known to English speakers as lamb's-quarters. "Almost every plant will nourish us, give us food or pleasure," she says. Vigil, 77, will share her extensive knowledge of herbs and her stories about plants at 1 p.m. Friday in the Ryals Room at Robert Hoag Rawlings Public Library in Pueblo. Her program on Hispanic and Native American herbalism in Southern Colorado is one of many offerings in the All Pueblo Reads celebration devoted to Latino literature, art and culture. Vigil was born at home in Alamosa, lived for a while at Sacred Heart Orphanage in Pueblo because her mother had died, then moved with her father to San Francisco where he worked as a welder in a shipyard. Every summer, she says, her father sent her to San Luis to live with her grandmother. Today, Vigil lives in her grandmother's house. It was in California, though, that she became a licensed practical nurse and met the man, Victor Vigil, who became her husband. Vigil says her nursing background is one aspect of her work as an herbalist. She contributed the information on traditional Hispanic herbalism to the book, "Delmar's Integrative Herb Guide for Nurses," written by Martha Libster. "I teach a lot of cautions, a lot of Old World wisdom; the way to use herbs safely, for the right purposes. I tell people to use them for so long and then go to the doctor. Sometimes you have to be very careful with plants. "I've done a lot of self-study. I mostly listened to my elders. Here in the valley, traditionally everybody has used herbs." Vigil tells how she got blood poisoning in her leg as a child. Her grandmother treated the leg with a poultice of tansy, which drew the poison to a place where the skin could be lanced and the infection drained. She still has a scar today - and she still has her leg, she notes happily. In addition to her grandmother, Vigil learned about herbs from a Navajo woman who lived nearby in San Luis. Vigil teaches classes and leads herb walks in the summer. "The higher up (into the mountains) you go, the more you can learn about. I try to tailor my classes to who the people are." She stresses how precious natural resources like plants and water are, and she urges people - particularly children - to reuse or recycle materials whenever possible. "I try to emphasize las donas - the gifts of God in nature - while we still have them." Vigil knows her plants but says she's not a botanist. Instead, she calls herself "an ordinary natural woman who likes to be connected to the Earth and God." "Every plant gives you more than you imagine," she says. "Every day you learn something new."

Louis Stovik was ordained on June 11, 1949, in Fargo, N.D. He came to Colorado after being appointed assistant pastor for St. Columba Parish in Durango in July 1949, according to the Diocese of Pueblo. The following includes highlights of his career, according to the Diocese of Pueblo: Named diocesan chaplain, for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, 1988; Appointed pastor, St. Therese Parish in Vineland, July 1983; Appointed associate pastor, Christ the King Parish in Pueblo, August 1972; Appointed chaplain, Sacred Heart Orphanage and director of athletics at Pueblo Catholic High School, 1953.

Pueblo Chieftain 9-2-1997 Remember When...? - September, 1957: Five orphans ranging in age from six to 11 scaled the wall around Sacred Heart Orphanage for a short-lived but daring escape


Sacred Heart Orphanage Cemetery

The cemetery was adjacent to Mountain View Cemetery but then it was re-located to Roselawn.

Pueblo Chieftain 9-21-2008 – Historic Burial Grounds – Interments Predate Mountain View Cemetery - Long before a cemetery was established, the ground near Beulah and Northern avenues accepted and sheltered the dead. Burials were made in the 1870s when the area was vacant land - graves sometimes show up in neighborhood streets - but it wasn't until 1881 that the town of South Pueblo purchased land from Colorado Coal and Iron Co. and started Mountain View Cemetery. The 20 acres between Beulah, Sprague and Northern avenues cost $1,000 and were acquired largely through the efforts of South Pueblo lawyer Joseph McMurtry, whose remains lie beneath a huge marker near the Beulah gate. Soon after the cemetery was founded, the Catholic Church bought an adjacent piece of land along Northern Avenue and started the small St. Joseph Cemetery for the Catholic faithful. South Pueblo ceased to exist upon consolidation of the three Pueblos on Jan. 1, 1887, and Mountain View became a Pueblo city property with the city clerk responsible for burial records and plot sales. As the century turned, Pueblo Chieftain executive J.J. Lambert bought 10 acres of land adjoining the two cemeteries and gave it to the Catholic Church so Sacred Heart Orphanage could be built. (Today the orphanage building is a Pueblo Housing Authority property, the Phoenix Apartments.) … In 1935, the city bought the land that included the St. Joseph Cemetery and, in 1938, bought land between Acero and Prairie avenues. Work Projects Administration crews developed these parcels into Mountain View's Annex 1 and Annex 2 so that public burial space would be available to people who could pay for it. The WPA and Civil Works Administration crews also enclosed the cemetery's ornamental iron fence on Beulah, Sprague and Northern avenues within a cobblestone wall; built four large arched entrances on Northern Avenue and built cobblestone walls around the cemetery and orphanage properties. They also remodeled the sexton's home and built an addition for a cemetery office, laid new irrigation pipe and made other improvements to the original cemetery. And they planted many, many trees. The federal government's contribution to these projects was approximately $100,000; the city match was about $18,000. …Clues to the physical character of Mountain View can be gotten from a Pueblo Chieftain report on the dedication of Sacred Heart Orphanage in April 1903. The article noted the orphanage was located in the southwest part of Pueblo, "and from it can be obtained one of the most beautiful views of distant mountains in Colorado. It is where children may have the full benefit of Pueblo's balmy climate, and is away from the smoke and dust of the city." Further clues to the area's character are furnished in 1903 advertisements for Baker's Gardens subdivision near the cemetery - north of Northern Avenue and between Palmer and Berkeley. "Choicest place to build a house with gardens and fruit and flowers. Not an isolated and barren spot out on the prairie, but a beautiful, fertile garden, which even now faces new and handsome houses on all sides ..."

Damiana, Sister M. died about 5-13-1924 - Pueblo Chieftain 5-13-1924 – Funeral of Sister M. Damiana will be announced later by T.G. McCarthy & Sons, the interment will be in the Orphanage cemetery.

Pate, Stephanno age 7y, born Salida, Co., son of Jacob Pate, both parents born Austria died 3-27-1912 at Sacred Heart Orphanage, Dr. P.H. Heller, paid by Louis Castilla, McCarthy Funeral Home


to the Pueblo County Index Page.


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