Barbara V. Parillo

Barbara Elizabeth (Voss) Parillo of Barrington  RI, died on May 14, 2018 at Hope Hospice in Providence surrounded by her family.  She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph C. Parillo for 35 years.  She was also the wife of the late William H. Allen.

Born in Staten Island, NY, daughter of the late Henry A. Voss and Sylvia Thoresen (Voss) Barrows, she resided in Barrington for 68 years.

Barbara was a graduate of the Lincoln School, Providence and Bradford College Haverhill, MA.  She was the Director of Volunteer and Patient Representative Services at Rhode Island and Hasbro Children’s Hospital for 19 years and Volunteer Services at Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital.  RI Hospital had one of the largest in-service programs nationally during that time with 2,000 volunteers contributing over 200,000 hours annually.  Barbara designed and implemented the first in-service patient advocate/ombudsman program in a general hospital in RI.  The program’s design has been instituted by hospitals throughout the US.  Believing in patient’s rights she lectured extensively on the topic.  She also was Director of Volunteer and Patient Representative Services at Women & Infants Hospital, the RI Association for the Blind and Assistant Director, Volunteers in Action of RI.

Barbara was past President of American Society Directors of Volunteer Services of the American Hospital Association; President of New England Association Directors of Healthcare Volunteer Services, President of RI Directors of Healthcare Volunteer Services, President of the New England Society of Patient Representative and Consumer Affairs and President of RI Society of Patient Representation and Consumer Affairs.

She was a member of The Points of Light Foundation, Washington, DC; Association of Volunteer Administrators; member and Vice President of Junior League of RI and Board of Director’s member of Steere House Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.  She received an appointment from Governor Lincoln Almond to serve on the RI Human Resource Investment Council, School to Career Subcommittee.

Barbara was a dedicated volunteer leader and drew her inspiration from her cherished family and helping others.  She enjoyed travel, her Norwegian heritage, reading, antique events, and Briggs Beach.

She is survived by her children Sylvia Hazard of Milford, CT; William Allen and wife Maureen of Hopkinton, MA; Barbara Faron and husband Michael of Medway, MA; Sarah Mello and husband Ernie of Rumford, RI and stepchildren Susan Jones and husband Warren of Swansea MA and Joseph Parillo of Jamestown.  Brothers Henry Voss and wife Constance of Warren and Peter Voss and wife Pamela of Sunapee, NH and many nieces and nephews.

Her grandchildren provided great happiness also; Michaela Gillett and husband Jesse; Lindsay Girouard, William, Ryan, and Courtney Allen; Luke Hazard; Conor and Henry Faron; Great-grandchildren Joseph, Frederick, and Harrison Gillett; Michael Stanley, Ruby Brown and Dyllan Silva. 

A Memorial Service for Barbara will be held on Saturday June 30 at 11:00 am at Newman Congregational Church 100 Newman Avenue Rumford.  A private burial will be at Forest Chapel cemetery in Barrington. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Newman Congregational Church 100 Newman Avenue Rumford, RI 02916.

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