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| Featured Volunteer |
Prudence “Pru” Ducich - Blazing a Trail for Central Oregon
Meals On Wheels in LaPine/Sunriver
By Bud McKinnley
When it comes to understanding what it takes to ‘blaze a new trail” Prudence Ducich knows of what
she speaks. A native Oregonian, Pru was born in 1931 in Astoria. She was opinionated and
determined even in childhood and knew in High School she wanted to go to college. She picked a
liberal education at University of Oregon, stating that Oregon State was a ‘cow town’ during those
years. Early on, she chose Architecture as a degree, “to create indoors, but still get outside often”.
Displaying her passion and opinions, one of her favorite memories while at U of O was attending a
student protest to keep a beloved professor. Pru graduated in 1956, one of two women in the class.
She went to San Francisco and applied at a number of firms for a drafting position. She found there
was another woman applying at the same firms during this time and that this woman had interned
with the great Frank Lloyd Wright was also being turned down. Pru realized she was in an uphill
battle. Displaying her sense of humor and candor, Pru states "the boys were afraid they would have
to put the toilet seat lid down" if they gave her a job. Instead, she forged her own way, went to
Carmel California where she opened her own office and was very successful.
During those years, she found she was very good at architecture, and throughout her career met
Frank Lloyd Wright, who, while Pru didn’t like him personally, felt his philosophy was right on. She
states, “He was the first to take into consideration the land, the high and low points and to use the
term "organic" in describing his work”. She worked to design homes for such icons as Joan Baez and
Linus Pauling. But Pru blazed a trail by being one of the first women entering her profession. She
realized that creativity often took a back seat to clients’ demands and interests and the importance
of balancing integrity and business.
During her years on the California coast, Pru came to Central Oregon to visit her brother in Sunriver.
"I came up for years and fell in love with this country, I love the smell of the pines on a hot summer's
day and I love the snow," Pru said of the area. Upon moving to the South County in Central Oregon
later in life, Pru became a Meals On Wheels Driver for Central Oregon Council On Aging, out of the
LaPine Senior Center. She decided to volunteer for this important program initially because some of
her friends were drivers. She found she liked driving and delivering meals in that "it felt right" to help
homebound seniors and those with disabilities in the community where she lived.
One of her early clients was a man who had suffered a stroke. He lived in a trailer that was falling
apart. During a cold spell Pru found him freezing in his bed, with no heat or electricity. She went and
bought him a heater and notified the case manager at Central Oregon Council On Aging and services
were set up to take care of the gentleman…without Pru stopping by to see him on her regular Meals
On Wheels route, this story may not have had a happy ending.
Often, Central Oregon Council On Aging Meals On Wheels drivers are the only person to visit their
clients and may be the only person the senior sees all week. Without the nutritional support, and the
interaction and periodic check-in, some Central Oregon seniors could be at risk. “Keeping seniors as
independent as possible in their homes is our mission,” states Cathy Canales, Case Manager for
Central Oregon Council On Aging in LaPine.
“But funding, and volunteers, are always needed,” state Pamela Norr, Executive Officer of COCOA.
“As a non-profit, donations are always gratefully accepted and are put to work right here in our
community.” At nearly 80 years old Pru generously donates her time and energy to support the
effort. Over 300 volunteers deliver nearly 65,000 meals each year to tri-county seniors. “Without
volunteers or generous support, this would be impossible,” Pam continues. “We about 30 routes,
every day and rely on hundreds of drivers throughout our region. These volunteers provide a
valuable service and we couldn’t deliver the meals without their valuable efforts.”
But Central Oregon Council On Aging isn’t alone in recognizing Pru as blazing a trail as a Meals On
Wheels driver and recognizing her for her zest for life, creativity and independent spirit. Frances
Bronet, Dean and Joseph Hunter, the Director of Development of the University of Oregon’s School
of Architecture and Allied Arts recently surprised Pru by taking her out to lunch to thank her
personally for her support. Joseph agrees that Pru was part of the University of Oregon at an
important time in history. “Women were treated quite different in that time. It was the very few
young women who opened doors and shattered ceilings for generations after them. Today, with a
school dominated by talented women in the administration, faculty and student body, it¹s clear that
there¹s a lasting legacy that Pru certainly contributed to,” Joseph continues.
Dynamic women, such a Pru, and all drivers who give of their time, their generosity and their
compassion to provide meals through the Central Oregon Council On Aging are often not only forging
new trails, but also actually saving lives of seniors in our community.
Meals On Wheels in LaPine/Sunriver
By Bud McKinnley
When it comes to understanding what it takes to ‘blaze a new trail” Prudence Ducich knows of what
she speaks. A native Oregonian, Pru was born in 1931 in Astoria. She was opinionated and
determined even in childhood and knew in High School she wanted to go to college. She picked a
liberal education at University of Oregon, stating that Oregon State was a ‘cow town’ during those
years. Early on, she chose Architecture as a degree, “to create indoors, but still get outside often”.
Displaying her passion and opinions, one of her favorite memories while at U of O was attending a
student protest to keep a beloved professor. Pru graduated in 1956, one of two women in the class.
She went to San Francisco and applied at a number of firms for a drafting position. She found there
was another woman applying at the same firms during this time and that this woman had interned
with the great Frank Lloyd Wright was also being turned down. Pru realized she was in an uphill
battle. Displaying her sense of humor and candor, Pru states "the boys were afraid they would have
to put the toilet seat lid down" if they gave her a job. Instead, she forged her own way, went to
Carmel California where she opened her own office and was very successful.
During those years, she found she was very good at architecture, and throughout her career met
Frank Lloyd Wright, who, while Pru didn’t like him personally, felt his philosophy was right on. She
states, “He was the first to take into consideration the land, the high and low points and to use the
term "organic" in describing his work”. She worked to design homes for such icons as Joan Baez and
Linus Pauling. But Pru blazed a trail by being one of the first women entering her profession. She
realized that creativity often took a back seat to clients’ demands and interests and the importance
of balancing integrity and business.
During her years on the California coast, Pru came to Central Oregon to visit her brother in Sunriver.
"I came up for years and fell in love with this country, I love the smell of the pines on a hot summer's
day and I love the snow," Pru said of the area. Upon moving to the South County in Central Oregon
later in life, Pru became a Meals On Wheels Driver for Central Oregon Council On Aging, out of the
LaPine Senior Center. She decided to volunteer for this important program initially because some of
her friends were drivers. She found she liked driving and delivering meals in that "it felt right" to help
homebound seniors and those with disabilities in the community where she lived.
One of her early clients was a man who had suffered a stroke. He lived in a trailer that was falling
apart. During a cold spell Pru found him freezing in his bed, with no heat or electricity. She went and
bought him a heater and notified the case manager at Central Oregon Council On Aging and services
were set up to take care of the gentleman…without Pru stopping by to see him on her regular Meals
On Wheels route, this story may not have had a happy ending.
Often, Central Oregon Council On Aging Meals On Wheels drivers are the only person to visit their
clients and may be the only person the senior sees all week. Without the nutritional support, and the
interaction and periodic check-in, some Central Oregon seniors could be at risk. “Keeping seniors as
independent as possible in their homes is our mission,” states Cathy Canales, Case Manager for
Central Oregon Council On Aging in LaPine.
“But funding, and volunteers, are always needed,” state Pamela Norr, Executive Officer of COCOA.
“As a non-profit, donations are always gratefully accepted and are put to work right here in our
community.” At nearly 80 years old Pru generously donates her time and energy to support the
effort. Over 300 volunteers deliver nearly 65,000 meals each year to tri-county seniors. “Without
volunteers or generous support, this would be impossible,” Pam continues. “We about 30 routes,
every day and rely on hundreds of drivers throughout our region. These volunteers provide a
valuable service and we couldn’t deliver the meals without their valuable efforts.”
But Central Oregon Council On Aging isn’t alone in recognizing Pru as blazing a trail as a Meals On
Wheels driver and recognizing her for her zest for life, creativity and independent spirit. Frances
Bronet, Dean and Joseph Hunter, the Director of Development of the University of Oregon’s School
of Architecture and Allied Arts recently surprised Pru by taking her out to lunch to thank her
personally for her support. Joseph agrees that Pru was part of the University of Oregon at an
important time in history. “Women were treated quite different in that time. It was the very few
young women who opened doors and shattered ceilings for generations after them. Today, with a
school dominated by talented women in the administration, faculty and student body, it¹s clear that
there¹s a lasting legacy that Pru certainly contributed to,” Joseph continues.
Dynamic women, such a Pru, and all drivers who give of their time, their generosity and their
compassion to provide meals through the Central Oregon Council On Aging are often not only forging
new trails, but also actually saving lives of seniors in our community.
| Volunteer Spotlight |
Prudence “Pru” Ducich, Meals on Wheels Volunteer
COCOA Volunteer Info
| 373 NE Greenwood Ave., Bend, OR 97701 541.678.5483 |