We pay tribute to the memory of our friend and Pedro Pan sister Elly Vilano Chovel, who was a founding member of Operation Pedro Pan Group, Inc. in 1991 and was its driving force until her passing in August of 2007. Elly selflessly dedicated a substantial part of her life to the organization and its mission and is sorely missed by all.

Elly served on the first Board of Directors and later was the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Operation Pedro Pan Group, Inc. Previously, Elly served on the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities and became a Trustee. Her innumerable volunteer work included the boards of the Miami Ballet Society, Miami City Ballet, Community Relations Board, Creced, Catholic Home for Children, and Boys Town of Florida.

Elly was an extraordinary woman that was respected and admired by all for her contributions to the community and for the leadership she provided to programs that benefit children in need. One of Elly’s projects helped fulfill Monsignor Bryan O. Walsh’s dream by raising funds for Catholic Charities’ new home for unaccompanied minors in South Florida. The dream was fulfilled on September 20, 2006, with the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Monsignor Bryan O. Walsh Children’s Village and Memorial Square.

For her selfless dedication and commitment, Elly received the J.C. Penney Golden Rule Award (1995) and was named Woman of Impact (2000) by the Coalition for Women's History of the Historical Society of Southern Florida.

Elly’s legacy will live on, and she will always be remembered with affection and admiration by those whose lives she touched and by all the members of Operation Pedro Pan Group, Inc.