Personal experiences with Our Lady of the Angels School Fire on December 1, 1958

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Personal Experiences with Our Lady of the Angels School Fire

If you have a personal experience, recollection or opinion about the December 1, 1958 Our Lady of the Angels school fire, whether you were present at the fire or not, you can relate it here. Any story or information is welcome as long as it relates to Our Lady of the Angels school fire.

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Stories 544 to 535 Stories 524 to 515

Posted by:

Jayne1955

On:

11/29/2010

ID:

534

At OLA on 12/1/58?	Born before or after 12/1/58?	Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No	Before	Chicago near St. Matthias

I was born in 1955, lived by Damen and Lawrence and my parents fought about sending me to a Catholic grammar school because of this fire. It scared my mother out of her wits.

I'm writing a book on fires that led to changes in fire codes. I'm including the Iroquois Theater, OLA, the Hartford Circus fire, the Coconut Grove Nightclub and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. If anyone wants to send me information about the neighborhood, how the fire changed it, or how they think the construction of the building aided the speed of the fire, and what changes were required after the fire, I can always use a new perspective. Anything about reunions or anniversary memorials would especially be of use. I've already read numerous newpaper reports, The Fire That Will Not Die and To Sleep With the Angels.

I'm especially interested in the way famous fires change the area and the lives of the people around it.
You can write to me at setem1955@lycos.com

Don't let the Egyptian god's name in the e-mail confuse you. I used to volunteer at the Field Museum in the Egyptian hall. I'm Catholic and graduated from Mundelein College in 1977.

Posted by:

Mary Margaret

On:

11/27/2010

ID:

533

At OLA on 12/1/58?	Born before or after 12/1/58?	Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No	Before	Columbus, Ohio

In 1961, when I was in second grade my family moved to the Chicago suburbs from Ohio. Later that year, my school had an assembly for Fire Prevention Week. During the assembly, we watched a film that showed the OLA fire. The only image I recall is that of firemen coming down ladders carrying dead children over their shoulders. I sobbed loudly during the film and became aware that I was the only student in the auditorium who was crying even though all students from kindergarden-grade 6 were present. When school was over that afternoon, a boy from my school ran ahead of me to my house and alerted my mother that I had been crying at the school assembly. When I got home from school, my mother was waiting at the door to comfort me. I think of my mother and then think of all the mothers whose children never arrived home that day in December of 1958. I think of the OLA fire often and pray for all the victims and their families. God bless them all.

Posted by:

MonaAnn

On:

11/19/2010

ID:

532

At OLA on 12/1/58?	Born before or after 12/1/58?	Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No	Before	Racine, Wisconsin

I was in second grade at Holy Name School in Racine when this happened. I remember the nuns telling us about what happened and having us pray for the victims and their families. Sr. Matthew was my teacher and stressed how important it was for us to move quickly and quietly whenever there was a fire drill. This is a childhood memory I will never forget and to this day when the fire alarm goes off at my grandchildren's school, I get tears in my eyes and say a prayer for the 92 children and 3 nuns that God took home to be part of His special guardian angels. May they watch over us all.

Posted by:

LookingBack

On:

10/29/2010

ID:

531

At OLA on 12/1/58?	Born before or after 12/1/58?	Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No	Before	Springfield,MA

At the time I was a student at a Catholic grammar school with two buildings, one old like the OLA school, one newer, but with high ceilings and a long drop from the 2nd floor. I remember thinking about a fire starting in the basement and coming up the stairs. I wasn't forming any cogent fire escape plan or anything; I was 12, and there were just those images.

I had never read much detail until recently, and had been personally holding to a version wherein all the victims were killed quickly at their desks from smoke. I guess that's what I wanted to believe.

The OLA fire is a worse injustice to its victims than those hideous night club fires that seem to come along once every few years. The OLA kids had no choice about putting themselves into that firetrap.

Posted by:

Sharon

On:

10/29/2010

ID:

530

At OLA on 12/1/58?	Born before or after 12/1/58?	Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No	Before	CHICAGO

I was 6 years old at the time of the fire. My memory of this fire was when my parents and I went unknownly went to visit my Godparents who lived on the next street when the fire happened. My Godfather went quickly to the school to help rescue the children but could not get near the fire. The neighborhood was still filled with remnants of smoke and the day was gloomy, dark and rainy. All the homes surrounding the area had black flags hanging from their windows indicating they had lost their child in the fire. It was a very very very sad thing to see. I wish, even though I was 6 at the time, I could have eased their pain but knew I could not. This is so sad and I will never forget them or this tragedy. I am a mother now and my daughter is 12. I meet with her schools to make sure there are sufficient fire escapes and fire prevention for the school. I discuss their disaster plans and all the parents who read this should do the same. This world is changing and we have to stay on top of things for our children's safety. PLEASE BE PROACTIVE.

Posted by:

Kathleen felder De La Rosa

On:

10/10/2010

ID:

529

At OLA on 12/1/58?	Born before or after 12/1/58?	Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No	Before	Madison and Laramie, chicago, Illinois

I was 7 at the time of the OLA Fire and in the second grade at St. Thomas of Aquinas School a neighboring parish. I remember seeing news coverage on tv. My mother tells me it was live coverage of the fire. I don't know how factual this is. I was very frightened. My Mother tried to comfort me by saying the reason that those children died in the fire was that Baby Jesus and Mother Mary wanted children (catholic children) in heavan for Christmas. I immediately thought...I am Catholic! I hope they don't want me! I continued to be afraid of going to school in a two story building. My fears were alleviated when we moved to the suburbs...the vast exodus from Chicago's West Side. I was delighted to learn that the local Catholic School was too overcrowded to admit me for that fall. I would have to go to "Public School". There I could disguise myself amidst the "Publics". Surely if Baby Jesus and Mother Mary were looking for children in Heaven for Christmas 1959 they would not look in "Public School" We as a collective society knew little of how tragedy effects children and the emotional imprint it leaves upon them. Ayear later I was sent to the local Catholic Elementary School. I said to myself silently..."Here we go again...I can't hide amidst the "Publics" now. The fears also worsened because to make matters worse my little brother was starting first grade. He was a very beautiful little boy. I just hoped Baby Jesusu and Mother Mary didn't want him.

Looking at the pictures on the OLA site transported me back to the Chicago West Side neighborhood as sure as if I had been in a time machine. The profound feelings of sadness were almost too much to bear.
To all of you who were victims of that day in one way or another, please accept my most sincere expression of compassion, empathy and sympaty from myself as a seven year old little girl and myself today as a grown woman.
May God and Mother Mary and Baby Jesus pray for us all!
Kathleen Felder DeLaRosa
Retired Teacher
Harper College
Early childhood Education
bluetabono@yahoo.com

Posted by:

Becky Ruhland

On:

9/28/2010

ID:

528

Enrolled on 12/1/58?	Present on 12/1/58?	Injured?	Age	Grade	Classroom	Teacher
Yes	Yes	No	9	4	Class B	Sister Xavier

I was reading some of the personal stories and came across Marilyn Chrzas. I was a good friend of your sister. We walked to school everyday. On that day, Joan wore a pink watch, which she received for her birthday. I don't know why that sticks out in my mind. Anyway, I'm glad we were such good friends. Also, when I was in 10th grade and making my confirmation, I chose Joan as my name. I hope all is well with you Marilyn. With the utmost sorrow for the loss of your sister and my dear friend. Love Becky Ruhland (Morrissey)

Posted by:

Peggy

On:

9/14/2010

ID:

527

At OLA on 12/1/58?	Born before or after 12/1/58?	Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No	Before	Kenosha, Wisconsin

I was in fifth grade at McKinley School in Kenosha. We were Catholic but attended public school. I remember hearing all the horrific stories, including the locked door and gate. I get very angry if I ever find a possible fire exit locked or blocked in any way, and I always check out the window to see how far I would have to jump in case of fire. I never knew so many people my age were also affected.

To the survivors, please know I pray for you.

Posted by:

dsmcwil

On:

9/8/2010

ID:

526

At OLA on 12/1/58?	Born before or after 12/1/58?	Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No	Before	Skokie, Il

I remember sitting in front of the tv and they interupted whatever we had on, I can see the reporter in my minds eye, I believe it was Fayhe Flynn, I had just turned 5 that September. I can't to this day get the images out of my mind. It was the most sad time I had ever seen. All I did was question my mother about it. Over the years I have come to the sight. When I go home to visit I'll drive thru the neighborhood. It was just kind of a feeling you get....little spirits that were not ready to leave. I am still saddened every time I think of this. I remember every December 1. Thank GOD for everyday and pray for those little children. We must never forget those who died. GOD truly blessed all those who got out.

Posted by:

dennis gioffredi &darlene pizzolato re.gioffredi

On:

9/6/2010

ID:

525

Enrolled on 12/1/58?	Present on 12/1/58?	Injured?	Age	Grade	Classroom	Teacher
Yes	Yes	No	11	5	205?	sister mary urbiniti ?

just waiting for the bell to ring,next thing i see across the courtyard is another nun waving frantically out the window. she was yelling fire.our nun then opened the door to our classroom and thick black smoke came rushing in. she closed the door and told us to stay seated and to start praying.after a few minutes she said were going out in the hall. all hell broke loose as soon as we hit the hallway you couldnot see anything just kid s screaming and crying. anyway i lost consiousness and hit the floor while on the floor some fresh air hit me and gave me alittle more time to try and get to a window i was sliding against the wall and a teacher grabbed me and other kids and took us out. that teachers name is miss rossi. god bless her! one of many unsung heores that day. any way thats about it, just wasent my time.my wife of 40 years was also in school that day , she was on the first floor and got out pretty fast have three daughters and seven grandkids. also no one in my class died that day. JMJ.

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