Día de los Muertos

Elaborate altars (ofrendas) are a part of the multi-day Día de los Muertos holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and parts of Latin America. The observance draws on the Christian tradition of honoring saints on November 1, All Saints Day. November 2, All Souls Day is set aside to remember anyone who has died. Rather than being a time of sadness, it's a time of celebration and connection. The shrines are a joyous tribute to loved ones, and contain mementos to help souls return home to visit for one day a year.

Some items that can be found in the ofrendas include:

Photos of family members, friends or special people who have passed. Snapshots of happy family gatherings and triumphs, or of the person enjoying a favorite team or vacation.

Flowers of the Dead, (flor de muerto). Marigolds are intended to attract souls to the altar. Used since ancient times for medicinal purposes, marigold's fragrance and bright orange color bring joy and peace.

Perforated Paper, (papel picado). Intricately-cut tissue paper allows souls to travel through and visit. The delicate nature of the paper is symbolic of the fragility of life.

Bread of the Dead, (pan de muerto). The bread is soft, sweet and tasty and sometimes baked into distinct shapes. Also on the altar are foods that the person liked when they were alive. A bottle of water is placed on the altar because the person will be thirsty when they arrive.

Salt to purify souls. Candles to light the way. Levels. Three levels are common, symbolizing heaven, earth and hell. 

Ofrenda at Sacred Heart Church in Denver

Annie Bolden, December 8, 1934 - September 27, 2021

Annie Bolden wasn't born in Globeville, nor did she live in the neighborhood, but she influenced all who knew her at Globeville's Broadway (formerly Stapleton) Recreation Center. Born and raised in Waco, Texas in 1934, Bolden attended schools there and completed her college education at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, earning a B.S. degree in Physical Education. She was an accomplished and competitive athlete, playing semi-pro fast-pitch softball as a pitcher for over 20 years.

After college, she moved to Denver for better opportunities and to join her older sister Mae Kyle. 

Bolden got her first position with Denver Parks and Recreation at the Glenarm Center in Denver's Five Points and Curtis Park Neighborhoods, creating outreach and recreation programs. She was then named a supervisor at the St. Charles Recreation Center, a heavily Hispanic area where Bolden was well liked and respected. When Joe Cianco, head of the Parks and Recreation department abruptly transferred her to Globeville's Stapleton Center, Bolden was flummoxed. "You'll do fine" Cianco said. And she did.

Many of the people who used the center were from the nearby Stapleton Public Housing Projects and were a very diverse group. Bolden could relate to them all. Shannon Kanan remembers, "Any child, any parent, any need, she was an advocate for each one. She was fearless.

She didn't get along with everyone and she didn't bite her tongue. She was a leader at the center and in the community. 

 

Bolden created volleyball, softball, basketball and cheerleading classes, but also food programs, educational assistance, summer and full-time jobs, adult activities and outings. Roberta Mollock Sanders smiles as she describes them. "During the War on Poverty, on Fridays, we had these bus trips. We would go to Idaho Springs, to Estes Park, Chautauqua, and Tiny Town. It was fun."

Bolden retired in 2000 and was living in Houston, Texas at the time of her passing.

Balloons were released at the Broadway Recreation Center on Sunday, October 10th and family, friends and all those who were fortunate to know her celebrated her. A movement has been started to replace the nondescript name "Broadway Center" with that of the "Annie Bolden Recreation Center" to honor a woman who had such an impact on the Globeville Community.

John Zapien remembers Annie Bolden

Shannon Kanan urges folks to write their memories
on the website

Debbie Powell hopes to gather some momentum to name 
the center in honor of Annie Bolden

Annie Bolden Obituary
https://www.troybsmith.com/obituary/annie-bolden