Marla Daily
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Registered: 9-2-2003
Location: Loreto, BCS
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Beloved "Tia Anita," Loreto author Ann O'Neil, died March 10
Beloved Loretana "Tia Anita," Ann O'Neil, died on Saturday, March 10, 2007. Before her passing, as her last gift to Loreto, she assisted with the
formation of an endowment fund to ensure that the promising, yet needy, children of the Internado would be given an opportunity to continue their
education beyond primary school.
To this end, the O'Neil Loreto Education Fund (OLEF) was formed. Funds generated each year will provide scholarships to cover expenses of those
children who are interested and able to continue in school. In her own words as her last writing to Loretanos Ann penned the following essay:
BY ANN O'NEIL, 2007
The Mexican Constitution of 1917 decreed that all
Mexican children must learn to read and write. This
meant, especially in Baja California where many
children live on remote ranches and fishing villages,
that a boarding facility near a primary school must be
established so the children could come in from far
away and live during the week while they attended
school. Most of the children live many miles from the
schools, and it is difficult to find transportation
for them. One mother hitchhikes with her children
every Sunday and Friday from a ranch below the
entrance to Agua Verde, and some come from even
farther away.
The original Internado (or Alburgue) was established
in Loreto in 1946 in the ruins of the old storehouse (now the
Museum of the Missions) next to the Loreto Mission.
The storehouse and commissary had been built by order
of Governor Galvez in 1776. The building had been
devastated by hurricanes and earthquakes, but their
were a few habitable rooms and it was the only place
available at that time. It was not a suitable site
for the children, and in 1971 the Mexican government
built the present facility, with two dormitories, a
dining hall and kitchen, and a
house for the director in Colonia Zarragoza across the
large arroyo sourth of Loreto.
The new Internado was fine for a few years, but there
was no money in the small pueblo of Loreto for
maintenance. With wear and tear from large numbers of
children being housed there, plumbing began to fail,
furniture broke, sheets and blankets wore out. There
was inadequate food for the children, because their
families were unable to supplement the government
allottment for rice and beans.
When a new director, Adolfo Avitia Verdugo came in 1982, he
found that only two of the toilets and one shower
worked and the children were getting one tortila and a
half-cup ooffee for breakfast before they went to
school. He came to Don and me and asked if we could possibly
help.
My husband Don was an engineer and had been working
overseas in Japan and Guyana building large storage
tanks. He reccruited a few friends and a plumber, and
they started work on the bathrooms and other problems.
FONATUR helped with a new water distribution system.
Before the present malacón (sea wall and street) were
built, we had made a stone ramp in front of our
property, one block north of the Hotel Oasis, to
launch our boat. The AAA put it on their map as the
only launching ramp in Loreto, and suddenly we were
running a parking lot. We took advantage of this by
asking for donations from American fishermen who parked
their trailers in our yard while they launched their boats.
Many generous people started bring toothpaste and toothbrushes,
shampoo and soap, and other things the children
needed.
At the director's request, I started an English class
for the older children, and a friend, Linda Nicholls,
joined me to color, cut, and paste with the younger
children. This was the start of a volunteer program
which has grown as people from other countries have
come to make Loreto their home. Many local women and
organzations are contributing to the cultural
education of the children.
There is a need for scholarships to help children
who want to further their education. A few generous
individuals have helped over the years. However,
there has never been money available to help many of
the bright children who would profit from it, even if
it is only a chance to complete junior high school.
Most children return to their ranches after completing
the sixth grade. The primary school (K-6) program is
financed by the government, but junior high school and
high school have attendance costs amounting to $200 or
more for uniforms, lab fees, etc., which many families just
don't have.
We hope for a brighter future for the 70 to 90
children rom the ranches and villages in the Loreto
area who attend the Internado each year.
Con mucho cariño, Ann
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The goal of OLEF is to raise a $100,000 endowment for the Internado to provide scholarships in perpetuity. Through several generous contributions,
OLEF has already reached 1/3 of its goal! All funds generated each year by the OLEF endowment will provide scholarships to be administered by the
Internado volunteers committee. Contributions are tax-deductible in the United States. Contributions to OLEF in memory of Ann should be sent to:
Terra Marine Research + Education, OLEF FUND
665 Tabor Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
For questions and further information please contact Kirk Connally
kirk@tmre.org
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bajajudy
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Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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Marla
We were saddened to hear of Ann's death. Our condolences to her family. She was a wonderful lady and this fund will help make her dreams for the
children of Loreto come true.
I also heard that a Spanish translation of her book, "Loreto, the First Mission" is in the works.
Judy and Jim
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David K
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Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Sad news.... Vaya Con Dios, Ann!
Ann and her late husband wrote a wonderful book on Loreto, full of historic details...
Ann attended my Viva Baja #3, in 2002...
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Skeet/Loreto
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VAya Con Dias Tia!
The years are Passing:
One day in the late 70's Tio Don O'Neil and I were setting on his front Porch in Loreto when we observed Ann and her Father walking up the Beach . Tio
went out to greet them and ask if he could assist.
The rest is History. Ann and Tio were married, They became interested in helping the Children of Loreto. There are many young Children who learned
English from Tia that today are successful Citizens of Loreto.
I remember helping them unload Potatoes, Beans, and Books after a Trip to the States, all for the Children.
Tio and I were Partners in the Panga "Patricia" for several years, also purchased land out North where I built Rancho Sonrisa.
Ann and Tio also went on a long Trip all the way to the Panama Canel in their Chevy. Pick up
They were a Couple!
She wears a Crown!
God , did indeed, Bless this Fine Lady!
Skeet/Loreto
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
Posts: 1687
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Lytle Creek, CA
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Mood: In love!
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I have her books but never knew her. We need more like her.
Thanks, Marla, Skeet, all.
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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MexicoTed
Senior Nomad
Posts: 708
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My condolenses to her family and friends. She was such a good person and very kind. She was a great guest on Baja Talk Radio also.
We've lost another Baja aficionado........
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capn.sharky
Senior Nomad
Posts: 686
Registered: 9-4-2003
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We have truly lost a good friend and author in Ann O'Neil. She was a remarkable woman. I was fortunate to have had the chance to spend some hours
with her on her porch in Loreto one evening. I shall never forget the experience. I doubt there was anyone who knew more about Loreto and its
colorful history. In addition, she was a wonderful person. Such a loss!
If there is no fishing in heaven, I am not going
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65278
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Just remembering Ann O'Neil... and her wonderful book on Loreto's history.
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