Barbara Mary Petrosino

Dr. Barbara M. Petrosino died on October 10,2022 in her home at Longhorn Village in Austin, Texas. She was born to Mary and Alexander Petrosino in Brooklyn, New York on June 1, 1938. Both of her parents predeceased her.

Dr. Petrosino graduated from Niagara University in New York with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She earned her Master of Science degree in Nursing from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and her Doctorate in Education from Nova University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. After earning her graduate degrees, she took post-graduate courses in Advanced Hospice Nursing and Gerontological Nursing at the University of Hawaii.

Barbara began her nursing career working at the VA Hospitals in Buffalo and Staten Island, New York. Following that, she transitioned to nursing education and taught at Niagara University, The University of Texas at Austin, and The University of Texas at El Paso, before returning for her final years of teaching at UT Austin, where she retired as an Associate Professor. While at UT Austin, she also served as Assistant Dean of the Undergraduate Nursing Program and she was a member of many School of Nursing committees.

After finishing her post-graduate work, she completed an internship at the original professional hospice, St. Christopher’s in London, England. Additionally, she made an extended visit to the first U.S. hospice located in Connecticut to gain further knowledge and expertise in hospice care.

One of her greatest joys was working with students, especially in clinical settings. She taught various nursing courses, including oncology nursing and hospice care, to both undergraduate and graduate students.

Barbara was an original Board Member of Hospice El Paso and was instrumental in helping initiate its services. Upon returning to Austin, she became a Board Member of Hospice Austin, serving in various capacities for 20+ years. She participated in many significant decisions as a Board member, including purchase of the property and initiation of its Christopher House inpatient hospice facility.

Barbara also originated the Hospice Nurses’ Newsletter with subscribers in the 50 U.S. states. The newsletter provided information about what was at-the-time the new concept of hospice care and its principles and techniques, gradually evolving into the National Journal of Hospice Nursing. She held various offices in hospice nursing organizations at the national, state, and local levels, as well as being active on multiple committees. Additionally, she was a member of the American Nurses’ Association, the National League for Nursing, and Sigma Theta Tau International, the nursing honor society.

In keeping with her Italian heritage, Barbara had a generous heart and loved her family; in turn, she was much beloved by them. Though for most of her adult life, she was separated from family members by many miles, she maintained close ties with them.

Barbara was naturally friendly and outgoing with a wonderful sense of humor and also remained committed to many longtime friends. She was a marvelous planner and organizer, even until her final days.

Wherever she lived, Barbara was a steadfast and active member of the Catholic Church throughout her life. She served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Theresa’s parish in Austin for more than ten years.

All of her life Barbara avidly followed sports, having season tickets for Longhorn football and Women’s basketball for nearly 40 years. Until last season, she was always in the stands cheering on the teams.

Survivors include her brother and his wife, Dr. Louis and Patricia Petrosino of Staten Island, New York; her sister, Sandra Lipari, of Englishtown, New Jersey; and six nieces and nephews and their families, Louis Petrosino, Elizabeth Higgins, and Marie LaMarch of Staten Island, New York; and Laura Cioffi, Joseph Lipari, and John Lipari of Englishtown, New Jersey. Additionally, she leaves her friend and housemate of 48 years, Dr. Marlene H. Weitzel; plus another longtime friend, Carol Campagna of Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan; and her goddaughter, Marie Curry-Lee of Akron, Ohio.

Barbara’s family and Marlene want to thank her many friends and former students particularly for their recent support, the residents and staff of Longhorn Village for their friendships and many kindnesses, the staff of Hospice Austin for their loving care, and the caregivers from Morning Glory Home Care for their gentleness and comfort during her last days.

A Memorial Mass will be offered for Barbara on October 17, 2022 at 10 am at Saint Theresa Catholic Church, 4311 Small Drive in Austin. Msgr. William Brooks will be the primary celebrant at the mass, with Father Barry Cuba as co-celebrant. Private inurnment of her cremains will occur later at Austin’s St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Anyone wishing to make a memorial donation in her name may direct it to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin, TX 78759; or the School of Nursing at The University of Texas at Austin, 1710 Red River, Austin, TX, 78712, Attention: Sergio Delgado.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com for the Petrosino family.