‘Just amazing’
92-year-old hospital volunteer recognized for over half-century of service
At 92, Barb Provenzano isn’t finished helping others.
Provenzano, of Houston, has volunteered for 55 years at UPMC Washington Hospital – she started in 1970, when Marcus Welby, M.D., was the most popular television show and Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Waters topped the music charts – and she is a fixture in the hospital’s gift shop.
“For me, volunteering is rewarding. I wanted to do something for myself and for my community, and I decided the hospital was the place for me to go,” said Provenzano.
On Wednesday, Provenzano, surrounded by volunteers and hospital staff, was recognized for her five-and-a-half decades of service as part of National Volunteer Week.
Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week focuses national attention on the impact and power of volunteerism and celebrates regular people who accomplish extraordinary things through service.
“Her compassion is remarkable. She’s just very compassionate to people,” said Donna Erlinger, president of UPMC Washington Auxiliary. “Sometimes just a smile is all you need to make a difference. People come here and they’re not always in the best frame of mind. With Barb, it’s just that smile, that nod, that little bit of encouragement that she gives that makes a difference. Her volunteering, for 55 years, is just amazing.”
Provenzano’s volunteer path began when her mother-in-law offered to watch Provenzano’s two children one day a week so that she could have a day to herself.
“I wanted to do something worthwhile, something that would help people,” said Provenzano. “Being around people and knowing that I’ve done something that is worthwhile was important to me. ”
Since that time, Provenzano has logged 19,453 volunteer hours, mostly in the gift shop.
The biggest change, she said, was the closing of a lunch counter at the gift shop, which served top-notch food.
“The food served at the lunch counter was delicious. The gift shop used to be small, but when the lunch counter closed, the gift shop got much bigger,” she said.
Her volunteer efforts were supported by her husband of 51 years, the late Tony Provenzano, former owner of the popular Tower Restaurant.
“My husband said if I got paid for all the hours I volunteered, we’d be rich,” said Provenzano, with a laugh.
Provenzano’s daughter, Lisa Provenzano Steele, attended the ceremony and watched as her mother received a service pin.
Her mother’s volunteerism impacted Steele, who also volunteered at Washington Hospital until she began working full time.
“I always remember my mother volunteering,” said Steele. “She is a very giving person, and she is a very loyal volunteer and very giving of her time. I was so used to her volunteering when I was growing up, it was a part of who she was.”
UPMC Washington isn’t the only organization Provenzano supports. She also is an active volunteer for Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church.
And, Provenzano, a native of Warren who worked for Bell Telephone (she relocated to Washington when a new district office was created) has lived life to the fullest.
Last July, at age 91, she went skydiving, something she had wanted to do to mark her 90th birthday, ever since she saw former President George H.W. Bush celebrated his 90th birthday with a jump.
“It was on my bucket list,” said Provenzano. “I had planned to do it for my 90th, and I said last year that no matter what, I was going to do it, and I did and I loved it.”
Still on her bucket list: a helicopter ride and a hot air balloon ride.
She also enjoys playing competitive bridge and spending time with her son, Mark, a pulmonologist at Butler Hospital; daughter Lisa, and her seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
“It’s been a ride,” said Provenzano.
Provenzano plans to continue volunteering at the gift shop.
“I hope to keep doing this for a few years at least. I like getting to see people and talk to people. It’s rewarding to me. It just fulfills you to do something good,” she said. “I would advise people to be active. No matter what you do, be active. Don’t sit around watching TV all day. Get up, even if it’s just to go for a walk. Don’t sit at home. Volunteer if you can. It’s worthwhile.”