Couple gives hope to Romanian orphans

Wheat Ridge News
By Jeff Francis

January 03, 2008
There are the standard ways married couples can spend their retirement years, and then there are ways like those of the Deweys — ones that incorporate adventure, service and a level of work that would exceed most typical workdays.

Karleen Dewey recently has documented the 16 years she and her husband Fred spent splitting time between their home in Lakewood and Romania with "The Place of Mourning Doves," which chronicles their work with Romanian orphans.

In 1990, the news program "20/20" aired a segment about the exploding orphan population in Romania, created by the recent revolution that had ousted and later killed its leader Nicolae Ceausescu. The Deweys were among thousands worldwide who saw the news report and decided to somehow help. Fred Dewey was a college professor, Karleen had experience with child development.

What's more, they had already adopted four children from other countries.

"The first time we went for three weeks, and it was really cold turkey," Karleen said. "We weren't really sure what we could offer to help."

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