Big Bend Gazette :: Casa Hogar Orphanage's Abuelita Teda Neill

We found a quiet spot away from the commotion of the dining room, so I could hear her story. As soon as the folks at Casa Hogar learned I was writing an article, they said, “Be sure you talk to Teda. If it weren’t for her, we wouldn’t be here…. She’s the one you need to see.” They pointed out the serene-looking white-haired lady at the front table, greeting friends old and young that flocked around her.

Teda was widowed at 45 when her husband was killed in a car accident. Left with two children, she worked and studied for a college degree, graduating when she was 55.

“I was so discouraged when I asked for an application,” she recalled. “The woman said I was too old, that I’d never get the job.”

But she did, and worked for a state child welfare agency that covered five border counties. Her job brought her in contact with families from both sides of the river, and she knew the challenges that the children faced. She retired in 1980, but never stopped helping others.

She first came to Casa Hogar in 1991, two years after it was started, and found the children living in a small, inadequate building.

“I got acquainted with them,” she said. “And I kept coming down, and brought clothes, mattresses, whatever I could bring to help out.”

Helping out meant getting people on the Texas side involved. She started at home in Fort Davis with the Presbyterian Church. From there it grew to include many individuals, churches and organizations, resulting in the non-profit Casa Hogar Orphanage, Inc.

“Now, be sure you mention Socorro Nieto and her family,” Teda said, pointing to my scribbled notes. “She and her children donated this land for the Casa Hogar so they could build on it. It’s thanks to them that we have the orphanage.”

Socorro has served in the past as president and board member, and stopped by the fiesta to see Teda.

“Oh, and be sure to write about Larry McCormick.” Teda watched to see that I was getting this all down. “He is retired in Alpine, and he arranged to hire a Mexican lawyer to take care of all the legal work, because there’s a lot of that, you know. Without his help we couldn’t have started this.”

I asked again about her role in it. Hadn’t she done a lot?

“Perhaps.” She paused, reluctant to talk about herself. “Oh, I did put the first shovelful of cement on the foundation of the dormitory. It was the first thing we built. They took my picture too.”

She lit up in a smile that equaled the children’s as they opened gifts. “And the ramps out front. They call them ‘Teda’s ramps’ and they built them for me when I visit.”

Due to polio early in her life, Teda uses a walker to get around; now the Casa Hogar is handicapped-accessible. Today Teda lives in Carlsbad, New Mexico to be closer to her family, which includes a son, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She is the Honorary Chairman of the Board of Casa Hogar and visits at least twice a year for meetings.

“It’s not often enough,” she said. “But when I see the changes and improvements being made, it’s absolutely wonderful!”

Teda sat quietly, smiling as she watched the children with their new toys. She wore a soft, pink, handmade scarf, one of the gifts she received for Three Kings Day. At 97, she is petite and pretty, with great energy and motivation that jumpstarts others’ spirit of generosity. She shies away from taking credit for all that she has accomplished.

But the children say it best when they run to meet her with hugs and smiles.

“!Abuelita!” they call her. “Dear Grandmother.”

Teda Neill, center. (Photo by Ruth Jansyn.)