By any standard, Joan LeGrand is an inspiration. At 89, this long-standing Parkview volunteer is still winning staff and patients over with her talent for building an instant rapport with everyone she meets and refusal to slow down.
How it started
It began in 1970, when Joan, an elementary school teacher, was instructed by then-superintendent of Fort Wayne Community Schools, Lester Grile, to spend the summer either getting another degree or volunteering. Since Joan had just completed a master’s degree, she opted for the latter. “I didn’t want to put my butt back in a classroom, so I started going to Parkview Randallia on Wednesday nights,” she shared. And she never stopped.
Pitching in
“My job was to support the candy stripers,” Joan said. “We would help them however they needed, and sometimes we would sit with patients.”
Joan would take families back to see their loved ones and escort discharged patients. “I would bring them out in a wheelchair, and we would wait together. Sometimes they were in pain, and we’d get to talking. You’d be amazed what people will share while you’re waiting for their ride to arrive. I learned so much about various injuries and ailments.”
After a move, Joan began volunteering at Parkview Regional Medical Center (PRMC). Then, in November 2019, she fell and broke her hip. “They put me back together, but I’ve been limited to sitting. Now, I tend to be at senior programs, handing out lunch tickets and such. Parkview’s been good to me. They always make sure I’m set up and have what I need.”
From her first day in 1970 to March 2026, Joan has donated 10,966.99 volunteer hours.
Making it meaningful
Joan retired from teaching in 1999, leaving a legacy as a champion for literacy and the occasional magic trick. She also left behind a trail of her trademark benevolence. “I’ve been blind in my left eye since I was 3, an accident from running with scissors. I always told my students what happened, because if that could help prevent the same happening to them, I was happy to. We have to take the bad and make it something good.”
After closing the chapter on education, she then started donating her time to the Fort Wayne Zoo and took classes at Purdue Fort Wayne to become a master gardener.
While walking is more difficult these days, Joan isn’t slowing down. “I’m not giving up,” Joan said. “When I slow down, it'll be all over. I love people. If you really look, you can take the worst individuals and, if you know them long enough, you'll find good in them. I don't care who they are.”
In addition to winning over strangers, Joan has a broad bouquet of friends, some of her dearest of which she found through her work at Parkview. One of these is her best friend, Mary. “She was sitting alone in the cafeteria, and I was with a couple I’d grown close to. I approached her and said, ‘You can come to us, or we can come to you, but either way, you aren’t eating alone.’” That was in 2010, and they’ve been dear friends ever since.
For Joan, giving back and connecting with others is a calling. “God put me here for a reason,” she said. “I like to let people have a little of my joy. Helping people can be so small. Just a ‘Hi, how are you?’ and a compliment, something positive, can lift their spirits.”
Recognizing more than 50 years of service
In March, Joan was presented with an award honoring her years of service by Dena Jacquay, chief administrative officer. From everyone at Parkview, thank you, Joan, for sharing your time and your light with so many.
