Homecoming

In August, a family in Fossil was thrown into grief when Tino Espinoza, a husband and father of three, died unexpectedly.

Catherine Espinoza and her three children left to stay with family and friends – uncertain of the future.

Earl and Jennifer Mortimore of Twickenham, who had employed Tino, felt the need to help the family in their time of need.

Jennifer worked tirelessly over the next three months to fight for Catherine and her kids.

Jennifer began by contacting an attorney to help secure the Espinoza's home. The family had been slowly paying off the property and only owed a small amount until they owned it outright. Jennifer was able to finalize the purchase and put the house in the children's name.

"It was important that they have an asset, something for their future," Jennifer said.

But the real work was just beginning. The property was in a significant state of disrepair.

Jennifer and Catherine got to work and enlisted the help of locals Kevin Hall, Dan Thomas, Jeff Schuett, and electrician Buck Dyer from Bend.

Throughout the summer and into the fall, Jennifer and Catherine renovated the home, which had serious issues – from plumbing and electrical to subfloor failure, broken fixtures, and appliances.

Catherine learned how to use power tools and helped throughout the restoration project.

"She worked her booty off," Jennifer says.

Together with their volunteers, Jennifer and Catherine completely overhauled the house, from top to bottom.

Catherine and her kids – Clancy, Dally, and young Johnny – didn't set foot in the house for the final month of finishing work. This past Saturday, when the family returned home for the big reveal - they were blown away by the work that had been done.

When entering the home, Catherine cupped her hands before her mouth and stood speechless. The fireplace had a new mantle and the kitchen a new hardwood counter from the Mortimore's mill in Twickenham. The decorations and trim made the house feel like a home.

The kids were wide-eyed and cautiously made their way into the living room.

New flooring was installed throughout, with carpet in the bedrooms. The bathroom and kitchen had been completely gutted and rebuilt.

It took over three and a half months to restore the home, with Jennifer and Catherine working almost every day, and volunteers Kevin Hall and Jeff Schuett there as well.

Family members had assembled and marveled at the transformation. It was hard to believe that it was the same house.

The kids slowly made their way to their bedrooms, which had new beds, furnishings and decorations.

In the kitchen, Catherine stood stunned as she looked inside the new cabinets and pantry, which were packed with food – donated by the Fossil Mercantile.

John Wagner with the Eastern Oregon Half Marathon and Spray Rodeo Association donated $3,000 to the effort. The Baptist Church in Mitchell also chipped in and Brenda's Blessings in Fossil donated $250 to the cause.

As family members looked on in amazement, Jennifer and Catherine smiled from ear to ear.

Sleeping in their new beds that night, the kids were finally settled back at their home.

Catherine said it was the first day the kids hadn't argued since leaving, and they slept through the night.