Life Story for Janice Elaine Lenzini (Levy)
Elaine Levy Lenzini passed away at the home she was born in on February 13, 2019 in Walsenburg, CO. She was 93.
The offspring of two of Colorado's most noted pioneer families, Elaine was representative of 115 years of civic devotion - five generations of life and growth in the community in Walsenburg.
She was born to Ralph and Ellen Hansen Levy in 1925. Elaine was the granddaughter of Alexander and Lilly Sporleder levy. The Levy and Sporleder famiilies were among some of the first merchants and entrepreneurs and were instrumental in establishing school, Library and fire protection districts, and rail lines in Walsenburg.
Elaine attended Huerfano County High School and graduated in 1943. She attended the University of Denver and later received her teaching degree from CSU Pueblo.
She married Alexander (Sandy) Lenzini, Jr. and settled in Walsenburg. Sandy was a partner in Lenzini Motor Company, which sustained nearly 100 years of business in Walsenburg. Elaine was a homemaker and mother until her children were in high school. She then began her teaching career at St. Mary School. She later taught at Hill School and Washington School.
Elaine always devoted herself to civic involvement. She organized Walsenburg Junior Women's Club in 1956, which was instrumental in creating a hospital district to establish Huerfano County memorial Hospital in 1963. She spearheaded the Teen-Aide (Candy-striper) program and was a Cub Scout Den Mother and Girl Scout organizer.
She was a member of Civic League, Elks Ladies, K-Cetters, Territorial Daughters of Colorado, Alpha Delta Kappa teacher's sorority, Huerfano County Historical Society, and Friends of the Library. She was a docent at the Walsenburg Mining Museum and served for two terms as a school board member of Huerfano RE-1. She also served on the Spanish Peaks library board and was a member of the Save Our School Committee, which worked to save the original Walsenburg High School. The building is now home to the Spanish Peaks Library.
She was a member of the Huerfano Education Association, Colorado Education Association and National Education Association. In 1974 she was named among the Outstanding Elementary Teachers of American. She was a member of General Federation of Woman's Club, Colorado Federation of Woman's Clubs, and Walsenburg Woman's Club.
Elaine was an accomplished pianist and had a piano in her classroom for her entire education career. She integrated music into her classroom curriculum and her students loved it. An animal activist, Elaine had dogs and cats her entire life. She personally paid to have over forty cats spayed/neutered and found homes for all of them. Elderly neighbors or those who were alone for the holidays were included at her table for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Elaine was famous for decoration her house and had a Christmas tree up year-round with ornaments for every season.
Although Elaine traveled all over the world, she loved living in Walsenurg. She was named Huerfano County Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen of the year and in 2013 was inducted into the Spanish Peaks Legends Hall of Fame.
She was preceded in death by her husbnd Alexander "Sandy" Lenzini, Jr.; parents Ralph and Ellen Hansen Levy; sister Merle Levy, brother Ralph (Ann) Levy; grandparents Alexander (Lilly) Levy; uncles Walter, Earl, and Archie (Edna) Levy; in-laws Alexander (Nechie) Lenzini, Sr.; brother-in-law Michael (Marie) Lenzini, sister-in-law Elsie (Carl) Tesitor; nephew Michael, Jr., and niece Diane Tesitor McClarty
She is survived by her children Alexis (Cary Dee) Lenzini Betts, Deidre Lenzini and Douglas Lenzini; grandchildren Brooks Betts, Taryn (Michael) Sweeney, and Rory (Leanne) Hamilton; and great-grandchildren Delaney, Jasper, and Sloan Hamilton.
Per her request, cremation has taken place with no service. Donations in her name ma be made to Sangre De Cristo Hospice, 1207 Pueblo Blvd. Way, Pueblo, CO 81005 or St. Mary Senior Outreach/Sister Carol at 324 E. 7th. St., Walsenburg, CO 81089
The offspring of two of Colorado's most noted pioneer families, Elaine was representative of 115 years of civic devotion - five generations of life and growth in the community in Walsenburg.
She was born to Ralph and Ellen Hansen Levy in 1925. Elaine was the granddaughter of Alexander and Lilly Sporleder levy. The Levy and Sporleder famiilies were among some of the first merchants and entrepreneurs and were instrumental in establishing school, Library and fire protection districts, and rail lines in Walsenburg.
Elaine attended Huerfano County High School and graduated in 1943. She attended the University of Denver and later received her teaching degree from CSU Pueblo.
She married Alexander (Sandy) Lenzini, Jr. and settled in Walsenburg. Sandy was a partner in Lenzini Motor Company, which sustained nearly 100 years of business in Walsenburg. Elaine was a homemaker and mother until her children were in high school. She then began her teaching career at St. Mary School. She later taught at Hill School and Washington School.
Elaine always devoted herself to civic involvement. She organized Walsenburg Junior Women's Club in 1956, which was instrumental in creating a hospital district to establish Huerfano County memorial Hospital in 1963. She spearheaded the Teen-Aide (Candy-striper) program and was a Cub Scout Den Mother and Girl Scout organizer.
She was a member of Civic League, Elks Ladies, K-Cetters, Territorial Daughters of Colorado, Alpha Delta Kappa teacher's sorority, Huerfano County Historical Society, and Friends of the Library. She was a docent at the Walsenburg Mining Museum and served for two terms as a school board member of Huerfano RE-1. She also served on the Spanish Peaks library board and was a member of the Save Our School Committee, which worked to save the original Walsenburg High School. The building is now home to the Spanish Peaks Library.
She was a member of the Huerfano Education Association, Colorado Education Association and National Education Association. In 1974 she was named among the Outstanding Elementary Teachers of American. She was a member of General Federation of Woman's Club, Colorado Federation of Woman's Clubs, and Walsenburg Woman's Club.
Elaine was an accomplished pianist and had a piano in her classroom for her entire education career. She integrated music into her classroom curriculum and her students loved it. An animal activist, Elaine had dogs and cats her entire life. She personally paid to have over forty cats spayed/neutered and found homes for all of them. Elderly neighbors or those who were alone for the holidays were included at her table for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Elaine was famous for decoration her house and had a Christmas tree up year-round with ornaments for every season.
Although Elaine traveled all over the world, she loved living in Walsenurg. She was named Huerfano County Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen of the year and in 2013 was inducted into the Spanish Peaks Legends Hall of Fame.
She was preceded in death by her husbnd Alexander "Sandy" Lenzini, Jr.; parents Ralph and Ellen Hansen Levy; sister Merle Levy, brother Ralph (Ann) Levy; grandparents Alexander (Lilly) Levy; uncles Walter, Earl, and Archie (Edna) Levy; in-laws Alexander (Nechie) Lenzini, Sr.; brother-in-law Michael (Marie) Lenzini, sister-in-law Elsie (Carl) Tesitor; nephew Michael, Jr., and niece Diane Tesitor McClarty
She is survived by her children Alexis (Cary Dee) Lenzini Betts, Deidre Lenzini and Douglas Lenzini; grandchildren Brooks Betts, Taryn (Michael) Sweeney, and Rory (Leanne) Hamilton; and great-grandchildren Delaney, Jasper, and Sloan Hamilton.
Per her request, cremation has taken place with no service. Donations in her name ma be made to Sangre De Cristo Hospice, 1207 Pueblo Blvd. Way, Pueblo, CO 81005 or St. Mary Senior Outreach/Sister Carol at 324 E. 7th. St., Walsenburg, CO 81089