Václav Výborný and Bohumila Lešovsky were married in Los Angeles on June 20, 1914, and they lived in a small rented apartment. She went by the nickname of Milka.
The children of this marriage are:
Lumir Harry, born August 22, 1915.
(deceased August 8, 1997, Merced, California).
Vlasta Maja, born May 26, 1918.
(deceased MMMM DD YYYY, San Jose, California).
Helen Miluša, born January 18, 1920.
(deceased July 6, 2000, Las Vegas, Nevada).
Marta Blanche, born January 26, 1922.
(deceased April 27, 1983, El Paso, Texas).
Lumir was born in a hospital in Los Angeles, and we girls were born in Children’s Hospital, San Francisco.
In 1917 the Výbornýs moved to San Francisco where Pop found work with the Union Iron Works. At first we lived at 1028 Cole Street where we became acquainted with the Dvořak family, and in 1920 we moved to 76 Ellsworth Street, a few doors down the street from the Babka family. The Dvořaks and Babkas became lifelong friends.
In late 1921 Mom’s older sister, Božena (Beatrice) Kubele came to America with her husband and 13-year-old daughter, Eliška (Elizabeth). After visiting in New York, the Kubeles came to San Francisco and helped take care of the three children while Mom went to the hospital for Marta’s birth. After that, they went to the Los Angeles area to be with Adolph and settled in Alhambra. Uncle Kubele was a tailor and Aunt Božena did housework for wealthy people several days a week. With what they earned, they were able to buy a home and also another house for rental investment.
At home, we children spoke only Czech until we started school. Pop went to night school to learn English better and became a naturalized citizen.
Mom took some night-school classes, but had more trouble with pronunciation than her husband. She was able to become a naturalized citizen by her marriage. Both became fluent in English, but Mom had difficulty with pronunciation; Pop was also fluent in German. For many years Pop insisted we speak Czech at home, but in later years we argued that we had to help Mom improve her English and consequently spoke less Czech. At present, I still understand the language, but have difficulty remembering words when speaking it.
When Pop was growing up, his family was Catholic. They attended church every Sunday, and if he played hooky, a strapping punished him. He contended that he came to America to be free of religion and wouldn’t allow his wife or children to go to church.
One of the few memories I have of San Francisco takes on a Christmas Eve, probably when I was six. After dinner, Pop kept us in the kitchen playing while he did the dishes and Mom was out of the room. When we were allowed to go into the living room, we found out that Santa had come and left gifts for us under the tree. I think the tree had been up and decorated for a few days, but I really don’t remember that part of the holiday. As we grew up, Christmas was always celebrated with gifts on Christmas Eve.
When we were small, on Saturday night after dinner Pop would put the three girls in the tub and bathe us while Mom did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen. Lumie would have his bath next in the same water. During all their married years, when Pop took his bath, he always called Mom to wash his back.
I guess I was about five when I had a bad winter healthwise as I got diphtheria and had to be isolated with only Mom allowed in the room to take care of me. Because she also had the cooking and housework to do, besides taking care of the rest of the family, I was left to entertain myself for a good part of the time. What I did I don't recall, but this probably explains why I have no problem finding things to do when I am by myself in my old age. I recall Mom having to disinfect my new doll, and in so doing the paint was washed off her face—a real tragedy. I hadn't been over the diphtheria long when I came down with the measles. This time I was isolated in a back bedroom where the shades had to be pulled down and the room kept dark to protect my eyes, which I now realize was a good thing as my vision has remained fairly good throughout the years. During the two weeks I had to stay there, Valentine's Day took place and my father even came up with a special Valentine for me. Not long after I was over the measles, Lumie, Helen and Marta came down with them, but because I already had them, they didn't have to be confined. I thought that to be most unfair.
When Lumir was about seven, he developed a tumor on his chest that required surgery followed by x-ray treatments (probably radiation). Because his permanent teeth were being formed then, the x-rays had an effect on them and consequently he had to live with poor teeth all his life. When Mom took him on the streetcar to the hospital, neighbors would take care of us.
Vlasta, Helen, and Lumir - Late 1920
Sokol Picnic - 1920
Bohumila is holding Helen as an infant front row right side. Behind her is Vaclav holding his accordion with Vlasta, and Lumir.
Lumir, Helen, Vlasta, Marta, Vaclav, Bohumila - circa 1938
Vlasta, Lumir, and Helen - 1968