For decades, the Mullen Home in Denver stood as a sanctuary of care, dignity, and compassion for the city’s elderly. Founded by the Little Sisters of the Poor, the home welcomed residents from all walks of life, offering more than shelter- it offered a sense of family, community, and unwavering love. Today, as the Mullen Home begins the transformation to Mullen Residences at the Highlands, the legacy continues, thoughtfully preserved and reimagined for a new generation.
Remembering the Heart of Mullen Home
One person who knows this story best is Peggy Dietz. Peggy spent over thirty years at Mullen Home as development director for the Little Sisters of the Poor.. Her connection goes back even further- her grandmother, mother, and father were all residents, and as a child, Peggy has fond memories of attending Mass in the chapel.
She witnessed firsthand the extraordinary dedication of the Little Sisters. “The sisters’ mission was welcoming the needy elderly into the home as Christ, cared for as family, and accompanied with dignity until God calls them to Himself,” Peggy recalls. “And they lived that mission every day.”
Her memories are filled with stories of devotion and joy: the small acts of kindness, the celebrations, and the sense of family that made the home special. Holidays were filled with music and laughter, and even ordinary days carried a spirit of prayer and care. One memory that stands out is of Father Leo Block, a priest who lived there. “He always had a blessing for everybody,” Peggy recalls with a smile. His presence, like that of the Little Sisters, embodied the heart of Mullen Home—faith lived out through everyday kindness.
She recalls one resident in particular, Helen Wilson, who was there when Peggy first started. Helen had a unique role: “She was actually an oblate of the Little Sisters of the Poor, so she never joined the order but she lived with them.” Helen became a quiet but steady support. “She was really helpful to me with getting thank-yous done for people. She would handwrite little thank-you notes, and it was a joy to work with her. She was just so sweet and quiet.”
Helen’s spirit reflected the heart of many who called Mullen Home their own. “That’s how a lot of the residents were and many of them were truly poor. Several residents the Little Sisters literally took off the streets of Denver and brought them in. And you know, so just that they were all so special in their own way.” In this way, the care Helen experienced echoes the mission of Jeanne Jugan, the Little Sisters’ founder, who devoted her life to welcoming the elderly poor and giving them dignity, family, and love.
Peggy describes the Little Sisters as “angels on earth.” Whether sitting vigil with the dying, taking shifts through the night, holding hands and praying, or sharing laughter during a staff wiffle ball game, their presence filled the home with love.
When the Little Sisters of the Poor made the difficult decision to leave Denver in 2022, Peggy felt a mix of loss and faith. “I knew the day the Little Sisters left that God had a plan for this property,” she reflects. “And as I’ve seen what’s happened here over the last three years, I truly believe God’s plan is coming to fruition. The sisters’ legacy of care, dignity, and compassion will continue, and I know they would be very pleased.”
A Bright Future at Mullen Residences
The heart of Mullen Home was always found within its iconic Old Main building and the beloved Chapel. For generations, the Little Sisters and residents gathered there daily for prayer, for meals, for celebrations, and for the quiet rhythms of life. In these spaces, the Sisters’ mission of care and dignity was lived most fully.
Now, as Mullen Residences at the Highlands begins a new chapter, that history is cherished. The preservation of Old Main and the Chapel ensures the same spirit of faith, family, and welcome endures. Surrounding these landmarks, thoughtfully designed apartments, inviting common areas, and modern amenities such as a wellness center and theater create an environment where older adults can thrive.
Mullen Residences reflects both the Gospel values that inspired its founding and the innovative approaches to aging that Christian Living Communities (CLC) has championed for over fifty years. Residents can experience comfort and support but also opportunities to connect, grow, and contribute- continuing the legacy first nurtured by the Little Sisters of the Poor.
For Peggy, seeing this vision realized is deeply personal. “I personally am very excited about the future,” she says. “I knew in my heart that God had a plan. I just knew He did.”
A Legacy That Endures
As Mullen Residences at the Highlands looks toward the future, the spirit of the Mullen Home lives on in every plan, design, and decision. Peggy often reflected on standing on the steps of the original entrance, imagining all those who had stood there over the past hundred years—residents, staff, and Little Sisters alike—and the lives that had been shaped within the walls of the home. When the community eventually welcomes its first residents, those same steps will continue to greet new generations, carrying forward a legacy of care, faith, and love. Perhaps one day, you too might stand on these steps, joining a century-long story of compassion and purpose.
