- Date Of Birth: March 7, 1924
- Date Of Death: August 5, 2013
- State: Colorado
Our mother, Beulah E. Soffa, was born March 7th, 1924 in Pueblo, Colorado to Emory Johnson and Hattie Clonts Trask, the seventh of eight children. Growing up on a farm in the twenties and thirties, she learned the importance of family and hard work. She attended Baxter school through the ninth grade and graduated from Centennial High School in 1942. She married George M. Soffa, Jr. on August 31, 1942 in Raton, New Mexico before he left for duty with the 8th Air Force in Manchester, England. She briefly worked for Douglas Aircraft in Tulsa, Oklahoma before transferring to their plant in Santa Monica, California where she worked as a stenographer throughout the war years. In 1946, she traveled to New York City to meet her husband on his arrival aboard the RMS Queen Mary upon his return from England.
They returned to Pueblo, Colorado, where on January 10th, 1947, they celebrated the birth of Elizabeth Ann, the first of eleven children born over the next 15 years. Marilyn, George III, David, Selina, Anita, Lanita, Patricia, Dennis, William, and John soon filled the household. A new home was built in Belmont in 1956 which Mom enjoyed decorating as time allowed. Somehow she always managed to take special time for each of us, and attended each of our school functions. The older children helped to keep the home fires burning and assisted in taking care of the younger kids. In 1965, we moved to a big Victorian home at 2117 Grand Avenue, allowing the family to spread out and giving Mom the chance to decorate another home. We also enjoyed our cabin in Rye, Colorado throughout the years: a respite for Mom, Dad and all of the kids.
With a lifelong interest in healthcare, Mom first became a volunteer (Candy Striper), assisting at Parkview Hospital. She then enrolled in a Psychiatric Technician program and went to work at the Colorado State Hospital. Between work and home, she worked so many hours we will never know how she did it! Continuing her education, she completed her Bachelor of Science degree and Psychiatric Registered Nurse qualifications, graduating from SCSC in 1969. Her work included Geriatrics, Medical/Surgical, Adolescent Behavior, and Forensics over the course of twenty years at the Colorado State Hospital.
One at a time, we grew older and moved on, but there was always a place at home and Mom’s special counsel when needed. In 1978, with only John still at home, the large house was sold and a smaller home purchased right up the street at 1918 Grand Avenue. When John started at CU-Boulder, they had the home to themselves for the first time in 33 years. The peace was short-lived with the sudden passing of our Dad on July 30th, 1981. Mom soon moved north to Littleton where most of the family now lived, purchasing a townhome on Lowell Boulevard. That signaled the end of her career at the Colorado State Hospital and the beginning of her career at Fort Logan Adolescent Behavior Unit. She spent many rewarding years working there, finally retiring at the age of 72.
Travel was always a draw for Mom, and she saw much of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Especially important to her were her trips to Lourdes, Fatima, Rome, and Jerusalem, on personal pilgrimages. Throughout her life, her faith was a driving force and she inculcated us all with faith of our own and spiritual awareness. Having been raised a Baptist she brought fervor to her acceptance of Catholicism. Saying a family rosary was an important part of our upbringing and her personal faith.
Mom passed from this earth on Monday morning, August 5th, 2013 at the age of 89. She was preceded in death by our father, George M. Soffa, Jr., our brother Dennis, and her grandson Joey Clay; her sisters Violet, Mabel, Myrna; her brothers Emory, Orville, and Earl. Her sister Leona Boyd, of Seattle, survives her. Mom will be dearly missed by everyone who knew and loved her. She had an infectious smile and a warm and loving heart. She rests now in the hands of God.
Beulah Elizabeth Soffa, 89, of Littleton.
