Foundation Day at Loretto Heights

To honor Foundation Day (April 25, 1812) in Denver, sisters, co-members, Spirit of Loretto Committee members, alums, neighbors from north of the cem- etery and Denver City Councilman Kevin Flynn and his wife Harriet gathered in the Loretto Heights College Cemetery. After prayers, Ruth Routten told of several of the sisters buried there, the oldest of whom, Jovita Mills, died in 1940 at age 93, having worked at LHC (Loretto Heights College) from its beginning in 1891 for a total of 49 years. The youngest, Aloysia McLain, died at age 21, pronouncing her vows on her deathbed. She was a native of Leadville, Colo., and entered the Sisters of Loretto in Kentucky. Her health deteriorated and it was thought that returning to the Colorado climate would restore her to good health. She was originally buried in the first Denver cemetery at Mount Calvary; when it was closed, her body was exhumed and moved to the college cemetery on Foundation Day 1912. The college foundress, Sister Pancratia Bonfils, who came to Denver at age 16, is also buried at LHC.

All took flowers to decorate each grave and wander the rows of the 62 graves. Several present knew Loretto Sisters Cecille Reddin, Frances Marie Walsh, Vera Blum and Francis De Sales. Councilman Flynn laid flowers on the grave of Sr. Agnes Flynn, who worked at LHC for 40 years. After closing prayers, the Revs. Michael DeSciose and Tom McCormick (who had served as college chaplain) blessed water to sprinkle the graves.

Commmunity members present: Michael DeSciose, Mary Nelle Gage, Sue Kenney, Theresa Kinealy, Jeanne Orrben, Lydia Peña, Mary Helen Sandoval, Joan Spero; neighbors attending: Lupe Loyd and Kathleen Croy; alums attending: Marg Utz and Christine Fourcade; also in attendance: former chaplain Father Tom McCormick, Denver City Council member Kevin Flynn and Harriet Flynn.