Hopes thanked for the memories

Joyce Rudolph

It was an afternoon for giving thanks and recalling memories when

Providence St. Joseph Medical Center Guild honored Bob and Dolores

Hope at a luncheon and fashion show March 15 at the Sheraton

Universal Hotel in Universal City.

Dolores Hope was scheduled to attend, but was ill, so the Hopes’

daughter, Linda, stepped in and was introduced to the more than 570

people attending by Guild President Donna Mahoney.

In keeping with the theme, “Thanks for the Memories,” Mahoney

thanked the couple for their longtime support of the medical center.

The most recent gift was the donation of $2 million that went to a

state-of-the-art conference room and Hope Meditation Room.

She also read a long list of accomplishments achieved by the

comedian, who will turn 100 on May 29.

“For six decades, Bob Hope traveled the globe, entertaining our

troops at Christmas time,” she said.

The greatest tribute for this contribution, she said, was his

receiving an honorary veteran designation.

And Dolores has always been right by his side, Mahoney said, as

the couple just celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. Dolores

often accompanied Bob on his trips abroad, and was the only female

allowed to perform in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm in

1991.

Dolores is a charter member of the guild, which was founded 58

years ago, Mahoney said. Dolores continues to give her time to

numerous local charities.

On hand to offer her congratulations to the Hopes was actress

Jayne Meadows, the widow of comedian Steve Allen.

The major fund-raiser of the guild, the event was organized by

Spring Event Director Jo Massimini, assisted by Kathryn Lusitana,

Lori Riela, Wauneva Harmon and Grace Mylroie Patz.

Proceeds will go to the guild’s pledge of $267,000 for a High Dose

Rate Brachytherapy Device for Radiation Oncology. This is a

computerized radiation source that pinpoints the tumor during the

treatment and with minimal effect to the surrounding tissue.

The guild has just completed a $1 million pledge to the emergency

department.

Lunch, featuring breast of chicken piccata with a wild berry

dessert taco, was enjoyed before guests were treated to a parade of

fashions from Robert Ellis of Studio City and Sy Devore Men’s Wear.

The day began with a boutique of vendors ranging from jewelry,

accessories and loungewear to Pauline’s Handmade Brittle.

Many guests took home a variety of silent auction and opportunity

prizes and elegant cherub centerpieces. The grand prize of $10,000

was won by Wally McGovern, who plans to take her husband on a trip.