the power of a touch,
a smile,
a kind word,
a listening ear,
an honest compliment or the
smallest act of caring, all of
which have the power to turn
a life around.
- Leo Buscaglia
V0LUNTEERS IN ACTION
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Volunteer of the Year Kathleen Zuback, of Clinton Township, receives her well-deserved award from United Way Chief Executive Bonnie Duncan.
Case Stories
Kathleen and Sally
Kathleen Zuback is a retired banker, a Hunterdon County resident since 1966, mother of four, grandmother of an additional four, and a community volunteer since childhood. Initially a "stay at home" mom, Kathleen earned an undergraduate degree in Economics the hard and long way, through ten years of evenings at Rutgers University.
After ascending the career ladder in the banking industry for over twenty years, to branch manager and Instructor at the American Institute of Banking, Kathleen enjoyed a well-deserved retirement. It was short lasting. Sally entered Kathleen's life...
Born in 1923, Sally lost her mother in childhood and had only one sibling - a brother who was sixteen years her senior. Fortunately, she had a wonderful father, whose picture still adorns her bedroom wall.
Considering that it was the 1930's and 1940's, Sally pursued an unusual life, earning an undergraduate degree (Beaver College in Pennsylvania now Arcadia University) and military service as a WAVE during World War II. Sally's uniqueness however, was only beginning.
In the mid 1930's, Sally was brought to Terra Haute, Indiana by her father to meet a young, female aviator ever-present in the current news. Amelia Earhart personally encouraged Sally's interest in aviation. It was a vocation and avocation that would captivate her life. Amelia's encouragement of Sally continued until a disastrous attempt at circumnavigation in 1937. Sally's interest however, continued.
As a Naval WAVE, Sally was one of the first female flight instructors to use the "Link," an early flight simulator. Sally trained World War II fighter pilots in blind flight, using only instruments to achieve their mission and reach their destination. Sally achieved her private pilot's license in 1951. Her contribution however, had only begun.
One of the first women admitted to the prestigious Wharton School of Business, at the Ivy League, University of Pennsylvania, Sally earned a Masters of Business Administration (M.B.A.) and began her civilian career with the Economic Development Department, State of New Jersey. She was responsible for bringing the Small Business Administration to New Jersey. To this day, she speaks of accompanying a young woman named Christie Todd Whitman on visits to banking officials throughout the state.
Never time for a family of her own, Sally owned and managed a successful kennel in Hampton, raising Irish Setters for show. She still displays photos of her favorites. Her proudest honor was an American Kennel Club (AKC) "Best In Show." Her former kennel operates successfully today, under new ownership.
Sally resided in Ringoes, her home for many years, even after her retirement. Then 78 years old, a state of New Jersey pensioneer, and a person without any surviving family, Sally was referred to the Hunterdon County Division of Social Services. Adult Protective Services (APS) investigated. Ironically, intervention was requested by her local bank manager, for her appearance and personal situation whenever she visited the bank.
Unfortunate circumstances developed however, while Sally was in the process of medical evaluation at Hunterdon Medical Center. The property on which her cottage was located was purchased. Her eviction was ordered. A determination of Dementia (probably Alzheimer's disease) was made by medical staff. Plans were made for Sally's eviction by local police and relocation to the Hagadorn Geriatric Center in Glen Gardner, a long-term state facility.
Enter Volunteer Guardianship and Kathleen Zuback. Created in the late 1990's by a local attorney to respond to the need for court appointed guardians for those with no caring family and little funds, Volunteer Guardianship One-on-One, Inc., a non-profit organization, is the only such organization within the state of New Jersey. Other than in Hunterdon County, alternatives for such persons judged incapacitated include only assignment to the State Public Guardian, a single official responsible for approximately 800 persons, assigned as "The Guardian of Last Resort."
Sally's case came to the attention of the Office of the County Surrogate, the county official charged with guardianship matters. Once judged incapable of continuing to make life decisions for herself, Sally was determined to be in need of a Guardian. Without family or friends, Volunteer Guardianship One-on-One entered the picture. Enjoying over five years of retirement, Kathleen Zuback's life was to quickly change. Known as a willing community volunteer, Kathleen was approached as a prospective Guardian for Sally. She agreed, subject to meeting Sally and determining that Sally was willing to accept her into her life.
Entering Sally's home, she met what she describes as an elderly, frail woman whose matted hair fell to her hips. In summary of that first meeting, Kathleen reports that Sally looked "dreadful." Kathleen noted that her bank balance, on the day that she was appointed Sally's Guardian (March, 2002) by the Hunterdon County Court, was $10.26.
The immediate responsibility for Kathleen, as directed by the court and imposed by the eviction notice, was Sally's relocation. After conversations with Sally, Kathleen determined that a community residence, rather than Hagadorn or another nursing facility, would be in Sally's best interests. Both of these independent, life-long achievers fiercely wanted to maintain her independence. Aware that this approach would be the most difficult and against some professional recommendations, Kathleen set out to help Sally become presentable once again to society, and find her a suitable place to live.
Kathleen wasted no time. By April 2002, Sally was a new resident of Clinton! Kathleen worked to find her an attractive, affordable, one bedroom apartment on a residential street with sidewalks. While Sally acclimated to her new surroundings, Kathleen busied herself with the myriad details inherent in allowing a person as Sally to both live independently and prosper.
Fulfillment of the court imposed requirement to vacate the Ringoes home and transfer Sally's possessions became a top priority. Unfortunately, Kathleen was left to deal with what Sally had been living amidst - rat infestation in the kitchen cupboards, general filth and furnishings in disrepair.
Kathleen took it all in stride. What was salvageable, Kathleen and her husband cleaned, repaired and delivered to the Clinton residence using their pickup truck. The rest was discarded. A new bed for Sally was purchased, as were additional furnishings. Meticulous records were kept by Kathleen of all expenditures she made on Sally's behalf, which totaled nearly $2,000. Kathleen the retired banker, saw to it that Sally, the retired businesswoman, slowly repaid the loan, furnishing the new apartment with her own funds.
Sally's appearance however, was another matter. Kathleen made a morning's appointment with a local Clinton salon, requesting shampoo, cut, style, nails, make-up, etc. Returning hours later and finding the shop owner in tears, Kathleen thought the worst. The owner tearfully advised Kathleen however, that once cleaned and cut, she had recognized Sally as the state official who had, many years ago, taken the time to help a young woman understand the process of business start up. She advised Kathleen that her salon, now successfully in business many years, would not exist without Sally's kindness. Such was returned with no charge and the offer of continued service to Sally, as needed.
Now, nearly three (3) years later, Sally is still a comfortable and successful Clinton resident. She has prospered. She is well known to friendly neighbors as the nice old woman who tells the same stories when she takes a walk. She never varies from a daily routine well-established for her by Kathleen Zuback, the daughter she never had but ironically, a woman who unknowingly followed in her own business footsteps.
Kathleen's favorite trip with Sally is a monthly one, to meetings of World War II female veterans. Sally introduces herself as an aviator and proudly displays her pilots license to those assembled. She still enjoys the recognition...
The hundreds of arrangements that Kathleen makes for Sally, allowing her to live comfortably, with dignity, a sense of self-respect, and independently, are overwhelming. Her tireless work, on a daily basis, to maintain Sally's independence however, is what makes Kathleen Zuback our nominee.
Kathleen fully utilizes the services of Hunterdon County Social Services and other county, non-profit agencies towards Sally's benefit. Sally attends Briteside Adult Day Care Center (Lebanon) two days a week from 8 AM to 5 PM. "The Link" provides door to door transportation. On two other week days, Kathleen has arranged for "Companion Care" to be provided at her apartment by Visiting Health and Supportive Services (VHSS). Lunch on these days is prepared, and friendly chat ensues. Meals for that and the next day are prepared. Personal needs are attended to including bathing. Kathleen reserves the final day of the week for herself and Sally so that doctor/dentist visits can be scheduled, etc.
Weekends remain mostly unscheduled. Sally tells Kathleen that she enjoys some private, unscheduled time, away from "the business" of her "work week" (as Sally describes it). Meals on Wheels delivers those meals not provided by Briteside or prepared by Companion Care. Kathleen reports that the assistance of these agencies and that of Sally's Social Worker from the Office on Aging is what makes it all possible.
Kathleen never mentions the many weekly hours spent behind the scenes - arranging, coordinating, assuring the quality and independence of Sally's life.
Most recently, Sally has found difficulty identifying the day of the week, an important fact in self-administration of medication. Enter Kathleen and her never-ending store of arrangements. "Hunterdon Helpline" now phones Sally each evening at 5:30 PM. A friendly caller engages Sally in a brief chat, ascertains her health, gently informs her of the day of the week and reminds her to take her medication for the day.
Daily interventions are necessary. Changes must be accommodated. Bills must be paid. Kathleen does it all..cheerfully and energized. Sally's financial condition is once again solvent. Sally is never late paying her bills. Thank a banker...thank Kathleen.
(By the way...Kathleen also volunteers for Meals on Wheels. Sally is on her delivery route!)
JAMES J. FARRELLY, Executive Director
Postscript: Kathleen has since retired as a Volunteer Guardian, after years of devoted personal service to Sally. Now, Shona lovingly cares for Sally as her Volunteer Guardian.
As time progressed, Sally required more intensive supervision. She currently resides in a small, caring facility in Hunterdon County, among friends, both old and new. She happily enjoys her role as the most recent addition to Shona's growing family...