Comments for Cherie Livett Bombell http://cheriebombell.com Kids Behind Bars, Geneva Illinois Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:09:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Post Script – Forgiving Dad by Brenda http://cheriebombell.com/true-stories/marilyn/post-script-%e2%80%93-forgiving-dad/comment-page-1/#comment-811 Brenda Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:09:04 +0000 http://cheriebombell.com/?page_id=671#comment-811 Marilyn, I'm so glad to hear you are still with us like Cherie said we did think the worse. The school is gone, but the memories aren't for most of us. I love to continue keeping in touch via e-mail. Marilyn, I’m so glad to hear you are still with us like Cherie said we did think the worse. The school is gone, but the memories aren’t for most of us. I love to continue keeping in touch via e-mail.

]]> Comment on Post Script – Forgiving Dad by Cherie Bombell http://cheriebombell.com/true-stories/marilyn/post-script-%e2%80%93-forgiving-dad/comment-page-1/#comment-809 Cherie Bombell Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:40:31 +0000 http://cheriebombell.com/?page_id=671#comment-809 Marilyn! It's so good to hear from you. Brenda and I feared the worst. I'm so glad you are well and still kicking. Your comment is written with such emotion - it helps convey to those of us that weren't locked up, the long-lasting impact of your experience. Would love to hear from you via email for a real catch-up on how you are and what's going on. Take care and please keep in touch. We have worried. xx Marilyn! It’s so good to hear from you. Brenda and I feared the worst. I’m so glad you are well and still kicking. Your comment is written with such emotion – it helps convey to those of us that weren’t locked up, the long-lasting impact of your experience. Would love to hear from you via email for a real catch-up on how you are and what’s going on. Take care and please keep in touch. We have worried. xx

]]> Comment on Post Script – Forgiving Dad by Marilyn Brandt http://cheriebombell.com/true-stories/marilyn/post-script-%e2%80%93-forgiving-dad/comment-page-1/#comment-805 Marilyn Brandt Mon, 16 Apr 2012 02:17:10 +0000 http://cheriebombell.com/?page_id=671#comment-805 Brenda,...and,..Cherie,...first,and foremost,id like to sincerly,apolige to you both,for ignoreing your e-mails etc. Seeing the picture of Geneva,...the good one with the parking lot, etc,has had such,.... a PROFOUND,,affect,on me so,.. much so...i cant even put into words. I cant tell you the times ive just sat and stared at that picture,..remembering,every detail in it.and,..heres the really wierd part,just longing,to be able to "jump in that picture",and go back,in time,once,again. I,KNOW,..the reason is because ,when that picture was taken,..i was there,.."somewhere on those grounds",and my Mother was still alive ..and back in Danville,..and,.etc etc,and then severl times i had this one t v channel,on,at night,advertizing cds for sale from the 50s,and playing all those populer songs from back then (like the Platters,..Beachboys,etc.) and omgggggg!! For the STRANGEST, reason,...probbally noone could explain..i just longed to go back....in time,..for ONE MORE CHANCE,... now ill probbally never hear from either of yas as yer gonna think "ive lost it"...and ive gone phyco,..lol..i asure,you i wasnt to sure i hadnt,..my own damn self! SOOOOOOOOO.many memorys,come flooding back,when i see the Girls School,..and yes i realize its tore down and gone,now but that picture,of it, will be imbedded in my mind,forever. Its just sooo,realist,to me.."WHEW!!".....so yes,..you guys,...you are definetly,right about,how that place,had a profound perment affect,on all ever confinded in it,...because after all,these yrs., it just seems like it was yesterday that i was there,...and still,remember every,single bulding,Matron,...job,..even the smell,of the different food,being prepared..the cematary..everything. Why ANYONE,..would EVER want to build thier home,on that same property,is beyond reasoning,..to me i wonder..if,they can ever feel,the heartache,and termal,..that went on,beneth thier "expensive" big fancy homes..but,on second thought,..they probbally dont even care,..only thing i can ,and will,say is..i wouldnt live there,if they GAVE me the house,..theres just some,things that linger...forever. Brenda,…and,..Cherie,…first,and foremost,id like to sincerly,apolige to you both,for ignoreing your e-mails etc. Seeing the picture of Geneva,…the good one with the parking lot, etc,has had such,…. a PROFOUND,,affect,on me so,.. much so…i cant even put into words. I cant tell you the times ive just sat and stared at that picture,..remembering,every detail in it.and,..heres the really wierd part,just longing,to be able to “jump in that picture”,and go back,in time,once,again. I,KNOW,..the reason is because ,when that picture was taken,..i was there,..”somewhere on those grounds”,and my Mother was still alive ..and back in Danville,..and,.etc etc,and then severl times i had this one t v channel,on,at night,advertizing cds for sale from the 50s,and playing all those populer songs from back then (like the Platters,..Beachboys,etc.) and omgggggg!! For the STRANGEST, reason,…probbally noone could explain..i just longed to go back….in time,..for ONE MORE CHANCE,… now ill probbally never hear from either of yas as yer gonna think “ive lost it”…and ive gone phyco,..lol..i asure,you i wasnt to sure i hadnt,..my own damn self! SOOOOOOOOO.many memorys,come flooding back,when i see the Girls School,..and yes i realize its tore down and gone,now but that picture,of it, will be imbedded in my mind,forever. Its just sooo,realist,to me..”WHEW!!”…..so yes,..you guys,…you are definetly,right about,how that place,had a profound perment affect,on all ever confinded in it,…because after all,these yrs., it just seems like it was yesterday that i was there,…and still,remember every,single bulding,Matron,…job,..even the smell,of the different food,being prepared..the cematary..everything. Why ANYONE,..would EVER want to build thier home,on that same property,is beyond reasoning,..to me i wonder..if,they can ever feel,the heartache,and termal,..that went on,beneth thier “expensive” big fancy homes..but,on second thought,..they probbally dont even care,..only thing i can ,and will,say is..i wouldnt live there,if they GAVE me the house,..theres just some,things that linger…forever.

]]> Comment on Yvonne: Born @ Geneva State Training School 1963 by Mac English http://cheriebombell.com/true-stories/yvonnes-story-born-at-geneva-girls-school-1963/comment-page-1/#comment-774 Mac English Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:33:27 +0000 http://cheriebombell.com/#comment-774 I just found this website. Wow !!! I am doing some investigating on the Reception and Diagnostic center for girls and Illinois State training school for girls. My mother was Barbara J. McNamara. She was at this facility in 1968 when I was born. The name of the M.D. at that facility who certified my birth was John A. O'Dwyer. I am trying to find out if there is anyway to obtain records of my mothers stay and of my birth. Along with that I am looking to find out if my fathers name had ever been mentioned some how as my mother never told me who he was. I have a name of Steve Mercer but I am not too sure if that is the real name of my father. Please!!! Please!!! if there is anyone who can hear me I need any help you can give me. My mother has been deceased for 20 years now. My grandmother never knew who my father was as well as she has been deceased for 8 years now. I am 44 now and just recently have had time to go thru some of my families personal papers. I am now finding bits and pieces but I need help trying to put the puzzle togther. I need to know who my father may have been. Again if anyone can help and would like to contact me please email me at macenglish@ymail.com Thank you, Mac A. English I just found this website. Wow !!! I am doing some investigating on the Reception and Diagnostic center for girls and Illinois State training school for girls. My mother was Barbara J. McNamara. She was at this facility in 1968 when I was born. The name of the M.D. at that facility who certified my birth was John A. O’Dwyer.

I am trying to find out if there is anyway to obtain records of my mothers stay and of my birth. Along with that I am looking to find out if my fathers name had ever been mentioned some how as my mother never told me who he was. I have a name of Steve Mercer but I am not too sure if that is the real name of my father.

Please!!! Please!!! if there is anyone who can hear me I need any help you can give me. My mother has been deceased for 20 years now. My grandmother never knew who my father was as well as she has been deceased for 8 years now.

I am 44 now and just recently have had time to go thru some of my families personal papers. I am now finding bits and pieces but I need help trying to put the puzzle togther. I need to know who my father may have been.

Again if anyone can help and would like to contact me please email me at macenglish@ymail.com

Thank you,

Mac A. English

]]> Comment on Inmate’s Room by Carole47 http://cheriebombell.com/inmates-room/comment-page-1/#comment-732 Carole47 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:42:21 +0000 http://cheriebombell.com/?p=629#comment-732 Yes, I went into labor in Sept 1960 in the dispensary & was taken - by auto - to the (then) Illinois Research Hospital on the near west side of Chicago, later known as Presbyterian St Lukes. Remember, this was before the expressway system, so the automobile ride took Roosevelt Road (US 38) all the way in: I remember every bump & pothole. What a horror! After I gave birth - later that day - I was kept overnight & taken back to the dispensary in Geneva, where I stayed until my release from the School in October 1960. I gave the baby up for adoption. I do not know of any instances where any births took place at the Illinois State Training School for Girls during my 6-month stay there in 1960. I can imagine where an emergency could occur - premature births, accidents, spontaneous abortions, etc. where that might have become necessary, but it did not during that time nor did I meet anyone who recalled anything of that nature. I can imagine that before a comprehensive road system (circa mid-50's) where that would have been necessary due to a lack of area hospitals at the time. Yes, I went into labor in Sept 1960 in the dispensary & was taken – by auto – to the (then) Illinois Research Hospital on the near west side of Chicago, later known as Presbyterian St Lukes. Remember, this was before the expressway system, so the automobile ride took Roosevelt Road (US 38) all the way in: I remember every bump & pothole. What a horror! After I gave birth – later that day – I was kept overnight & taken back to the dispensary in Geneva, where I stayed until my release from the School in October 1960. I gave the baby up for adoption.

I do not know of any instances where any births took place at the Illinois State Training School for Girls during my 6-month stay there in 1960. I can imagine where an emergency could occur – premature births, accidents, spontaneous abortions, etc. where that might have become necessary, but it did not during that time nor did I meet anyone who recalled anything of that nature.

I can imagine that before a comprehensive road system (circa mid-50′s) where that would have been necessary due to a lack of area hospitals at the time.

]]> Comment on Aerial Shot Geneva Girls School 1974 by Brenda http://cheriebombell.com/279/comment-page-1/#comment-731 Brenda Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:46:22 +0000 http://cheriebombell.com/?p=279#comment-731 Nancy, I'd written so much about the greenhouse in my old journals, but no one seemed to remember the place being there. I worked there too and loved watching all the plants flourish especially the roses. Nancy if you see this will you ask Cherie for my email address, I remember you, maybe we can email? Nancy, I’d written so much about the greenhouse in my old journals, but no one seemed to remember the place being there. I worked there too and loved watching all the plants flourish especially the roses.
Nancy if you see this will you ask Cherie for my email address, I remember you, maybe we can email?

]]> Comment on Aerial Shot Geneva Girls School 1974 by Cherie Bombell http://cheriebombell.com/279/comment-page-1/#comment-721 Cherie Bombell Sun, 15 Jan 2012 07:59:41 +0000 http://cheriebombell.com/?p=279#comment-721 Nancy, you were there a long time! Part of that time, I worked there - on Geneva and Oak Cottages. It sounds like you have a lot that needs to be said. I'd like you to write your story if feel safe to do it. Let me know and I'll send you an email address to send it to. I'll then put it under True Stories on the site so others can read your experiences. I hope you are whole and well, Nancy. Nancy, you were there a long time! Part of that time, I worked there – on Geneva and Oak Cottages. It sounds like you have a lot that needs to be said. I’d like you to write your story if feel safe to do it. Let me know and I’ll send you an email address to send it to. I’ll then put it under True Stories on the site so others can read your experiences. I hope you are whole and well, Nancy.

]]> Comment on Aerial Shot Geneva Girls School 1974 by nancy http://cheriebombell.com/279/comment-page-1/#comment-720 nancy Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:01:13 +0000 http://cheriebombell.com/?p=279#comment-720 i was held there in 1968 till 1972 that place was hell iam living proof have so many mermories worked in the greenhouse sstayed at beverly cottage remember the guards and some of the girls always fighting to protect myself from the bad stuff going down in that place i lived in the bluestone room alot could not take the crap that was going on i so long to wish to say something about this place it was worse then hell....... i learn more bad in there then good. thanks geneva iam a much better person know. i was held there in 1968 till 1972 that place was hell iam living proof have so many mermories worked in the greenhouse sstayed at beverly cottage remember the guards and some of the girls always fighting to protect myself from the bad stuff going down in that place i lived in the bluestone room alot could not take the crap that was going on i so long to wish to say something about this place it was worse then hell……. i learn more bad in there then good. thanks geneva iam a much better person know.

]]> Comment on Yvonne: Born @ Geneva State Training School 1963 by Mya http://cheriebombell.com/true-stories/yvonnes-story-born-at-geneva-girls-school-1963/comment-page-1/#comment-713 Mya Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:48:24 +0000 http://cheriebombell.com/#comment-713 You are so full of shit Melissa! I know for a friggen fact I did nothing wrong when I landed in Geneva... I was sent there shortly after my parents died and stayed there until I was 16... You must be getting senile in your old age to not remember the hole and to call the place not bad... You are so full of shit Melissa! I know for a friggen fact I did nothing wrong when I landed in Geneva… I was sent there shortly after my parents died and stayed there until I was 16… You must be getting senile in your old age to not remember the hole and to call the place not bad…

]]> Comment on True Stories by Cherie Bombell http://cheriebombell.com/true-stories/comment-page-1/#comment-702 Cherie Bombell Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:37:59 +0000 http://cheriebombell.com/#comment-702 Reading what you went through is horrible, Johanna. Like so many others that ended up in Geneva, your story is more than any child should experience. It seems you've turned all that happened to you into helping others through nursing. Glad to hear you're okay now. I can't help wondering about your twins and if you know what happened to them. If you feel comfortable about it and want to write more of your experiences, we'd like to hear about them. Please keep in touch. Reading what you went through is horrible, Johanna. Like so many others that ended up in Geneva, your story is more than any child should experience. It seems you’ve turned all that happened to you into helping others through nursing. Glad to hear you’re okay now. I can’t help wondering about your twins and if you know what happened to them. If you feel comfortable about it and want to write more of your experiences, we’d like to hear about them. Please keep in touch.

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