Cora Eleanor Rico Radford

Cora Eleanor (Rico) Radford
3/1/1935 – 5/23/2013


Cora Eleanor (Rico) Radford passed away May 23, 2013 at her home. She was born March 1, 1935 in Scottsbluff, NE to Andy and Jennie C. Rico. Her Nebraska birth certificate says she is "Baby Rico".

When she was baptized, she was named Soccora Leanor Rico, but by the time she started kindergarten at Lincoln Heights School in Scottsbluff, she was Cora Eleanor Rico.

Her father's family came by train to the North Platte Valley in 1925 to escape the Communist persecution of religion by President Calles in Mexico.

Her Mother was born in Las Cruces, NM, but after the death of her parents she went to live with her grandmother in Pueblo, CO until her grandmother passed away.

Andy and Jennie were married in Greeley, CO and lived on farms in Morrill and Scottsbluff, NE, before moving to Scottsbluff.

Cora was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, David, and former husband, Frank Radford.

She is survived by her brother, Robert Rico (Rosalind), Scottsbluff, NE; cousin Rochelle Ruiz (John), Modesto, CA, who was her closest friend since childhood; Children: Curtis (Valerie), grandsons, Nick and Jacob; Lisa (Greg), grandchildren, Ben, Noah and Emily Stuvel; Jenifer (Mark), granddaughters Rachel Radford Farris (Bill) and Jessica Schow; Christopher, granddaughter Jamie Nelson (John), grandson Daniel, and two great-grandchildren, Levi and Sacora (born on May 25, 2013 and named after her great-grandmother, Cora); and Tracey Sandoval, who has always been like her third daughter.

Cora was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Altar and Rosary Society, served as a lector and Eucharistic Minister, and earlier as a Religious Education Catechist. She was a 1999 graduate of the Catholic Biblical School. She was a member of the Denver Teacher's Club, lifetime member of Denver Public Schools Retirement Association, and lifetime member, Denver Classroom Teachers Association. (retired members).

Before retirement, Cora served on the DCTA Board of Directors and served 2 years as Secretary-Treasurer.

Always politically active, she hosted Democratic caucuses in her home and became House District 26 captain. A highpoint was when she nominated Mike Feeley to the Colorado State Senate.

She was a lifelong member of Alpha Delta Kappa, (International Honorary Organization for Women Educators), serving as Xi Chapter President, ADK Historian and on various committees. She served on the Colorado State ADK board as Historian.

Cora attended Scottsbluff High School until 10th grade, when she entered Corpus Christie Carmelite Convent, and went to live in Kearney, NE, where she took correspondence courses from University of Nebraska and earned credits for graduation. She left the convent, returned home and transferred to Assumption Academy, Chadron, NE, earning a credit for Latin to complete the foreign language requirement, returning in May for graduation. She was able to enroll at Scottsbluff Junior College and started classes to earn a Nebraska Jr. Elementary Teaching certificate. She was selected to teach for Scottsbluff Public Schools.

In 1957 she married Frank Radford and baby Curt was born July 3, 1958 in Scottsbluff. Her first teaching assignment was Bryant School, but because it was more convenient for her mom to care for Curt, she transferred to Roosevelt and taught 5th grade across the hall from her fifth grade teacher, Wilma Zitlow.

While teaching at Roosevelt, she was awarded an AAUW grant to attend Greeley State Teachers' College. The family moved to Denver, and Cora commuted to Greeley, which proved costly. After one completed quarter, she returned to live in Denver. The small family was poor, but happy, and daughter Lisa was born March 6, 1961.

In the meantime, she worked various jobs, including as an assistant to the Society editor at the Scottsbluff Star-Herald, 5 years as a nurse aide at the old St. Anthony Hospital, and 2 years at St. Joseph Hospital while earning her Master's Degree.

After moving to the house in Lakewood that Cora and her family lived in for over thirty years, two more children were born, Jeni in 1963 and Chris in 1965.

Cora was hired by Denver Public Schools and taught at Eagleton Elementary for the majority of her career. At the time of her retirement from DPS, she was teaching at Munroe Elementary.

Retirement couldn't keep Cora from working. She was hired as a librarian and media specialist by Jefferson County Public Schools, and worked at Stober Elementary until her retirement from Jeffco. Even after her 2nd retirement, Cora continued to substitute in Jeffco as a teacher and a librarian.

After her divorce from Frank, Cora raised her four young children on her own. Growing up, our mother always worked two, and at times three, jobs to make sure we had a home and food to eat. We lived simply, but somehow, if there was anything extra at the end of the month, Cora found a way to treat us to a movie or a stage play, a camping trip or free concert in the park. Even though we didn't have a lot, we were rich in experiences and love.

Cora and her family found out on April 23, 2013 that she had stage IV cancer, when she went to St. Anthony's Hospital with a "cough that wouldn't go away" and laryngitis. After a week in the hospital, Cora went home and was showered with love by her family and friends. We prayed that she would have enough time to do all the things she wanted to get done before the illness progressed, and that she would not have pain. Things happened very quickly, but Cora did have time (only she and God knew how much was required), and the pain did not last long. Cora died peacefully at home and is now smiling down at us from heaven.

Cora was always the person that everyone relied upon; the person that you could count on to get things done. She is an inspiration to her family. Her energy was contagious, her sense of humor, irreverent. She cheered us when we needing cheering. She pushed us when we need to be pushed. She showered us with affection. She believed in us, always. We will love you forever and treasure our memories of you, our beloved Mother, "Grammy", great-grandma, sister, friend, and colleague.

Rosary will be held at 7:00 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home, 901 S. Sheridan Blvd. on Thursday, May 30th, followed by a celebration of Cora's Life. Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 3801 W. Ohio Ave. Friday, May 31st at 10:30 a.m. Entombment at Crown Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Denver Teacher's Club, Alpha Delta Kappa Foundation, or the Denver Public Schools Retirement Association.