By Vanessa Bauza
Chicago Tribune  

CHICAGO — Relatives of the children who died in a 1958 blaze at a Catholic school that killed 92 students and three nuns gathered Saturday for the blessing of a new memorial that some say has been long overdue.

The fire at the Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School was one of the worst in Chicago's history. But relatives of those who died and survivors of the blaze say for many years they did not talk about it.

"Many children who were in school were taught not to discuss it," said Linda Maffiola, whose brother, Joseph, died in the fire. "Probably it was so painful, people didn't know how to handle it. We've wanted this for a long time. It's like the fulfillment of a dream."

The memorial, at 3808 W. Iowa St. in front of the rectory of the Our Lady of the Angels Mission, is etched with the names of those who died in the fire and features a large stone engraved with an image of the Virgin Mary surrounded by angels. It was blessed by Cardinal Francis George and paid for by donations from more than 100 people.

"Our hearts have always been here. Sometimes we don't need a memorial, but this is wonderful that it happened," said Donna Bednarek, 56, who was in 2nd grade and escaped the Dec. 1 blaze.

"We were all affected, the entire parish, the entire neighborhood," said Angela Schreiner, 63, who graduated from the school in 1958. "It was devastating."

The school was rebuilt and run by the Catholic Church until 2000. It is now a charter school.

Copyright 2007 Chicago Tribune