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Mildred Arbutina, who would have such a great
influence on Beaver County history, was a light-hearted woman
with an easy smile. She was born in Loraine, Ohio, then moved
to Freedom with her family where she would graduate from high
school in 1933. She attended Duff's Business Institute in 1937.
When no job turned up locally, she went to Harrisburg to fill
a position with the state government. Later she worked as a legal
secretary in New York City. She moved to Washington D. C. where
she was a staff member for the Woodrow Wilson International Institute
for Scholars.
It was in Washington that she met Leo B. Pappas, a CIA staff member.
They were married in Rochester in 1956. Leo was assigned to positions
around the world: Athens, Greece; Germany; and other places, and
Mildred went with him. During the Vietnam War, Leo was sent to
Vietnam, and Mildred promptly went to Hong Kong to be as close
to Leo as possible. She traveled with two cats, and insisted that
they not be quarantined in Hong Kong. It was a battle, but she
won.
Mildred's claim to fame came in the early 1970's, when she learned
that the Vicary Mansion was to be demolished to make room for
a highway ramp. She immediately started a letter writing campaign
that covered several years and involved hundreds of letters to
state and national officials, Penn DOT director, historians, and
anyone else that she thought could help. She won that battle,
too, and the Vicary Mansion was saved. Beaver County residents
will be forever grateful to Mildred for her successful effort
to save our beloved mansion.
Earlier this year a bronze marker commemorating Mildred's accomplishment
was erected in the flower garden near the front door of the Vicary
Mansion. This was largely due to Mildred's brother, Millard ,
who wanted a permanent record of his sister's achievement. Millard
has become a frequent visitor to the History Center that has grown
up in "Mildred's Home."
Mildred passed away this year (2002). Leo is retired and lives
in Washington, D. C. Mildred's spirit lives on in the house she
saved.