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Date: 4/6/2023
SOUTHWICK — Joyce Bannish’s parents were always helping family and friends. That’s why helping those in need also has been a part of her life.
Bannish’s selfless acts recently earned her the Herbert C. Pace Jr. Council on Aging Good Citizen Award that’s presented annually by the Southwick Council on Aging Board of Directors. It’s awarded to individuals over 65 who are active in Senior Center activities and events and who also have enhanced the lives of Southwick’s senior citizens.
Bannish, who has passed on her devotion to helping others to her children, was “quite surprised” when she learned she would receive the award.
“There are so many active and caring people at the Senior Center. I knew there were others who also have done so much for our seniors,” she said
The award, said Bannish, shows an appreciation for her contributions to make the center a “wonderful place” for seniors.
“Our center offers so much to keep seniors active socially and physically with the many programs available to us. The staff is amazing and they work so hard to keep us ageless,” said the 83-year-old.
The board voted unanimously at its March 13 meeting to select Bannish for the award that was created in 2018 to honor Pace, its first recipient. He was a Southwick resident for more than 60 years, a guidance counselor and principal in the town’s school and a long-time Council on Aging volunteer and board member. Previous recipients include Roy Benson, Lisa Anderson and Alan Garde.
Cindy Sullivan, who oversees the Senior Center as the executive director for the town’s senior and recreational operations, said this year’s award is even more special because it recognizes someone who has done many small acts of kindness. but has attempted to stay out of the spotlight for what she has done.
“Joyce has helped to make our Senior Center a friendly, welcoming place just by participating in our activities and making sure everyone feels welcome,” she said of Bannish, who has served as president of the Friends of the Southwick Senior Center for the past six years.
Sullivan said Bannish has not only helped to raise money for various things at the center, but she has also participated in many of its activities. Bannish is also known for helping her neighbors and friends in need with by making baked goods, cooking meals and checking on them.
“Joyce makes sure — through the quilting guild she is a part of — that our homebound clients receive a special gift at Christmas, along with a sweet treat,” said Sullivan. She’s planning a reception at the center in May to formally present the award to Bannish.
“My family is wonderfully supportive, but it really bothers me to see seniors who do not have the family support I have,” said Bannish. “My senior friends know that I’m always available to help in any way I can.”
Born and raised in Southwick, Bannish attended Westfield High School before Southwick had its own high school. Until she retired, Bannish worked as an administrative assistant to the founder of Sterling Radiator, now Mestek Inc., in Westfield.
That’s when Bannish became a member of the Friends, which was formed about 40 years ago. She volunteered to be the group’s president after serving as treasurer.
“I felt I should be doing my part — along with others — to keep the Senior Center an important place and a resource in our community for our older citizen,” she said. “My family thinks it’s wonderful and they like to see me active.”
In addition to providing refreshments for various events and prizes for bingo sessions, the Friends is also a resource for funds and other assistance to the center when there’s a need, said Bannish.
As a nonprofit, the Friends can apply for grants, accept donations and raise money to supplement the center’s budget The group also advocates for seniors.
One Friends activity Bannish helped to arrange at the center was a demonstration by the town’s Fire Department of a fire hazard simulator. It’s a preventive and interactive safety education tool, designed to teach prevention techniques by showing seniors and children the dangers of cooking fires.
Banish served with Pace on the Council on Aging before his death in 2019 at age 97.
“I know he would be very proud of me and my involvement in the Senior Center. It’s all about giving back to your community,” she said.