life stories

Zita Vivo came to us at 85 years old and suffering from dementia. As a result she could tell us almost nothing about her life. However her essential character shined though. She was the typical sweet, little old lady. Never saying much, happy to be in a nice bed and eating only a small amounts. She had been in and out of shelters and at her advanced age had lost the ability to care for herself. That’s where we stepped in and gave her shelter in her last days. 

Zita spent most of her time with us, quietly sleeping and she passed away in the same way - quietly with our caregiver in attendance. 

While we don’t know much about Zita, her life was meaningful and we will remember her.

If anyone can be said to have had better luck at beating the worst odds of homelessness, it was Leo, who was 62 when he left this life on May 25, 2023, following a short stay at the Rocky Mountain Refuge for End of life Care. Before his time at the Refuge and following several years of sporadic living on the streets of Denver and Boulder, he had secured a secure, subsidized apartment and found occasional work as a landscaper. 

Soft-spoken and mild in manner, Leo was born in Connecticut to a family he described as "difficult, with many problems, including a dad with alcoholism who traveled constantly." His growing years were challenging, with cross-country moves to Seattle, Palm Beach, and finally Denver. After completing ninth grade, he worked odd jobs until joining the military and serving in Vietnam.

He then joined the Merchant Marine as a deckhand on freighters, getting an expanded view of the world and learning the value of steady, hard work combined with travel — all in all, a “pretty happy time for me.”

A longstanding telephone marketing job in Denver ended in 2004, and that, along with “some bad investment decisions and a string of poor luck,” led to his being unhoused on and off for nearly 20 years. The three things he said were toughest about being unhoused were “keeping clean, having a secure place to sleep every night, and enduring bad weather."

He credited the counsel and friendship of a special case manager at Health Care for the Homeless with helping him to get healthy and established in a subsidized apartment at Walnut Place, taking periodic meals at the Carriage House Community Table.

Leo enjoyed reading about Scientology, practiced Tae Kwon Do, and researched naturopathic health remedies for himself and his friends. He claimed that "krill oil, barley greens and meditation have kept me pretty healthy for years,” though he acknowledged occasionally indulging in a hand-rolled cigarette. For relaxation, he liked fishing and riding his bike.

Asked to give advice to anyone facing homelessness, Leo counseled, “Tap into the services around you, really use them and keep in steady contact with the folks who run the organizations that help people in need of housing and health services…Don’t think that you can’t or won’t make your life better. Don’t ever give up on yourself.”

He had a safe, comfortable place to live during his final transition time, and will be remembered by those who cared for and about him at his final home in this life, the Rocky Mountain Refuge. 

 James "Mike" Roberson passed away at Rocky Mountain Refuge in Denver CO on September 14th, 2022.

James "Mike" Roberson arrived into this world August 23rd, 1972 with the odds against him. He was a hyperactive and super curious and intelligent boy that grew into a man with the same qualities of his youth. 

As the saying goes, he never met a stranger. Although homeless, he was generous to a fault and would give the last of whatever he had to those less fortunate. 

He touched many lives and those who had the pleasure of his existence will truly miss him. 

~ By a friend

Marianne Timko, 77, of Arvada, Colorado passed away on August 31, 2022 at the Rocky Mountain Refuge. She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Timko, and is not survived by any known family members.

Marianne was born near Munich, Germany and came to the U.S. around 1982 and married Michael Timko. Her passions were her dogs, German food, and being an advocate for folks in recovery. She enjoyed computer work, gardening, cooking, and stating strong opinions on politics and social issues.

She had sixth sense about her that penetrated her conversations with you. She was intelligent and had a great sense of humor and her delightful German accent that added the punch to any punchline. She maintained an amazing attitude after years of pain of suffering with Arthritis in her hips and being housebound. Although her world was very small, she left a big hole in the hearts of those whose lives she touched. Cheri S.

Marianne was a tour de force! Blessed of God in power and grace. A great cook and good listener. And her opinion was hard to change. A big heart when she saw purity. I will miss her in the gardens of David. Steve T.

I learned a lot from Marianne, she was wise and an empathetic, caring person. She had a good sense of humor and was a unique and interesting person. Jonas C.
 

Marianne lived in a house that my wife and I purchased in 2008 so we've known Marianne for 14 years as a tenant and a friend. If we didn't hear from Marianne throughout the month we always heard from her when it was time to pay the rent because she wanted us to know that she had brought it over or taped it to the door and wanted to make sure that we knew she paid the rent. she was frugal in everything she did and fearless when it came to conflict. Marianne would sit on the front porch and once was heckled by a group of boys as she sat there holding the phone and dialed 911. She then verbally fought with these boys until the police showed up. You didn't mess around with Marianne. She was colorful in everything she did and will be missed. Jim H.

David R. Esquivel, 81, passed away August 5, 2022 in Denver, Colorado at the Rocky Mountain Refuge.  David was raised in Dallas, Texas and Chicago, Illinois. 

David owned and later sold Santa Fe Carpenter Shop. He will forever be remembered for his expertise for custom furniture and repairs. When asked how did you do that his favorite saying was “It’s a simple thing”.

In his spare time David enjoyed sharing his life stories, reading, cooking, and watching sports (especially the Denver Broncos and the Colorado Rockies) at the local brewery. 

He loved to watch his favorite show “The Price is Right” and Telenovas because he said they had pretty girls.  If he was at a loss for a word he would say “What do you say”?

Anyone who had the honor of knowing David will remember his funny and stubborn personality.   He will be missed by the friends he made over the years but he will never be forgotten.

Special thanks to Rocky Mountain Refuge end of life care and TRU Community Care Hospice. Please consider a donation in David’s name.

~ By a friend