Published in the "San Pedro Valley News-Sun" Benson, Arizona Sept. 26, 2012
"Sept. 16, 2012
Katherine Mejia, 94, died on Sept. 16, 2012 in Benson, Ariz.
Katherine was born April 30, 1918 to Jose and Carolina Mejia on the very lot in Benson where she lived at the time of her death.
Katherine is survived by her son, Frank Alvarado Jr. (Eleanor, now deceased), daughter, Barbara Ellsworth (George) and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sons, Donald and Tommy Alvarado.
A native of Benson, Katherine's ancestors had been land granted a large portion of land by Presidents Harrison and McKinley, which she later inherited. As a child, she came to love the land just as her grandfather had before her, and she later lived there, along the San Pedro River, just east of Highway 80, for many years.
Katherine sold the land in 1999 to All The King's Horses Children's Ranch, whose mission is to serve as a refuge for abused and neglected children in need of a home. In 2011, the organization honored Katherine by naming their reception hall/dining facilities after her – now called the Katherine Mejia Chuck Wagon.
As a single mother, Katherine raised four children by working many jobs, sometimes two and three at a time to support them. She was an expert seamstress, and many of her positions required the use of those skills to support the war efforts during World War II.
Beginning in the late 1980s, and until about seven years ago, Katherine was a licensed foster parent. She was also owner of the Sunrise Pre-School and Day Care Center for about 15 of those same years. Operating a day care required a high school diploma or GED; she obtained her GED at age 69.
As a foster parent she was honored for having provided a home to over 100 children needing respite or long-term care. As the owner of the day care, she was able to provide pre-school and day care services to children of working parents who had none. The center was typically at full capacity.
Katherine's later life's work definitely had a theme – caring for children. She finally fully retired when she was 87 years old.
In retirement, Katherine's interests included family, sewing, crocheting and playing scrabble; and let's not forget baseball – she enjoyed watching baseball for hours on television. In fact, she could name many of today's professional league players and spew a few team stats if you dared to challenge her.
Katherine was devoted to her cat, "Lucy," who became her faithful and constant companion for the last five years."
Katherine's Arizona birth certificate and her amended Arizona birth certificate.
"Sept. 16, 2012
Katherine Mejia, 94, died on Sept. 16, 2012 in Benson, Ariz.
Katherine was born April 30, 1918 to Jose and Carolina Mejia on the very lot in Benson where she lived at the time of her death.
Katherine is survived by her son, Frank Alvarado Jr. (Eleanor, now deceased), daughter, Barbara Ellsworth (George) and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sons, Donald and Tommy Alvarado.
A native of Benson, Katherine's ancestors had been land granted a large portion of land by Presidents Harrison and McKinley, which she later inherited. As a child, she came to love the land just as her grandfather had before her, and she later lived there, along the San Pedro River, just east of Highway 80, for many years.
Katherine sold the land in 1999 to All The King's Horses Children's Ranch, whose mission is to serve as a refuge for abused and neglected children in need of a home. In 2011, the organization honored Katherine by naming their reception hall/dining facilities after her – now called the Katherine Mejia Chuck Wagon.
As a single mother, Katherine raised four children by working many jobs, sometimes two and three at a time to support them. She was an expert seamstress, and many of her positions required the use of those skills to support the war efforts during World War II.
Beginning in the late 1980s, and until about seven years ago, Katherine was a licensed foster parent. She was also owner of the Sunrise Pre-School and Day Care Center for about 15 of those same years. Operating a day care required a high school diploma or GED; she obtained her GED at age 69.
As a foster parent she was honored for having provided a home to over 100 children needing respite or long-term care. As the owner of the day care, she was able to provide pre-school and day care services to children of working parents who had none. The center was typically at full capacity.
Katherine's later life's work definitely had a theme – caring for children. She finally fully retired when she was 87 years old.
In retirement, Katherine's interests included family, sewing, crocheting and playing scrabble; and let's not forget baseball – she enjoyed watching baseball for hours on television. In fact, she could name many of today's professional league players and spew a few team stats if you dared to challenge her.
Katherine was devoted to her cat, "Lucy," who became her faithful and constant companion for the last five years."
Katherine's Arizona birth certificate and her amended Arizona birth certificate.
Published in the "San Pedro Valley News-Sun" Benson, Arizona Sept. 26, 2012
"Sept. 16, 2012
Katherine Mejia, 94, died on Sept. 16, 2012 in Benson, Ariz.
Katherine was born April 30, 1918 to Jose and Carolina Mejia on the very lot in Benson where she lived at the time of her death.
Katherine is survived by her son, Frank Alvarado Jr. (Eleanor, now deceased), daughter, Barbara Ellsworth (George) and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sons, Donald and Tommy Alvarado.
A native of Benson, Katherine's ancestors had been land granted a large portion of land by Presidents Harrison and McKinley, which she later inherited. As a child, she came to love the land just as her grandfather had before her, and she later lived there, along the San Pedro River, just east of Highway 80, for many years.
Katherine sold the land in 1999 to All The King's Horses Children's Ranch, whose mission is to serve as a refuge for abused and neglected children in need of a home. In 2011, the organization honored Katherine by naming their reception hall/dining facilities after her – now called the Katherine Mejia Chuck Wagon.
As a single mother, Katherine raised four children by working many jobs, sometimes two and three at a time to support them. She was an expert seamstress, and many of her positions required the use of those skills to support the war efforts during World War II.
Beginning in the late 1980s, and until about seven years ago, Katherine was a licensed foster parent. She was also owner of the Sunrise Pre-School and Day Care Center for about 15 of those same years. Operating a day care required a high school diploma or GED; she obtained her GED at age 69.
As a foster parent she was honored for having provided a home to over 100 children needing respite or long-term care. As the owner of the day care, she was able to provide pre-school and day care services to children of working parents who had none. The center was typically at full capacity.
Katherine's later life's work definitely had a theme – caring for children. She finally fully retired when she was 87 years old.
In retirement, Katherine's interests included family, sewing, crocheting and playing scrabble; and let's not forget baseball – she enjoyed watching baseball for hours on television. In fact, she could name many of today's professional league players and spew a few team stats if you dared to challenge her.
Katherine was devoted to her cat, "Lucy," who became her faithful and constant companion for the last five years."
Katherine's Arizona birth certificate and her amended Arizona birth certificate.
"Sept. 16, 2012
Katherine Mejia, 94, died on Sept. 16, 2012 in Benson, Ariz.
Katherine was born April 30, 1918 to Jose and Carolina Mejia on the very lot in Benson where she lived at the time of her death.
Katherine is survived by her son, Frank Alvarado Jr. (Eleanor, now deceased), daughter, Barbara Ellsworth (George) and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sons, Donald and Tommy Alvarado.
A native of Benson, Katherine's ancestors had been land granted a large portion of land by Presidents Harrison and McKinley, which she later inherited. As a child, she came to love the land just as her grandfather had before her, and she later lived there, along the San Pedro River, just east of Highway 80, for many years.
Katherine sold the land in 1999 to All The King's Horses Children's Ranch, whose mission is to serve as a refuge for abused and neglected children in need of a home. In 2011, the organization honored Katherine by naming their reception hall/dining facilities after her – now called the Katherine Mejia Chuck Wagon.
As a single mother, Katherine raised four children by working many jobs, sometimes two and three at a time to support them. She was an expert seamstress, and many of her positions required the use of those skills to support the war efforts during World War II.
Beginning in the late 1980s, and until about seven years ago, Katherine was a licensed foster parent. She was also owner of the Sunrise Pre-School and Day Care Center for about 15 of those same years. Operating a day care required a high school diploma or GED; she obtained her GED at age 69.
As a foster parent she was honored for having provided a home to over 100 children needing respite or long-term care. As the owner of the day care, she was able to provide pre-school and day care services to children of working parents who had none. The center was typically at full capacity.
Katherine's later life's work definitely had a theme – caring for children. She finally fully retired when she was 87 years old.
In retirement, Katherine's interests included family, sewing, crocheting and playing scrabble; and let's not forget baseball – she enjoyed watching baseball for hours on television. In fact, she could name many of today's professional league players and spew a few team stats if you dared to challenge her.
Katherine was devoted to her cat, "Lucy," who became her faithful and constant companion for the last five years."
Katherine's Arizona birth certificate and her amended Arizona birth certificate.
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