Dec 20, 2012 4 min read

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Bricks and cinder blocks, fallen trees, remains of windows and doors, the devastation caught me by surprise. Within seconds, I began thinking of the thousands of men and women who called this South Fayette hospital their home for so many years as well as the many caregivers who provided loving and compassionate care.

I can’t say why, but recently I took the back roads from McMurray to Bridgeville, driving Boyce Road around the outskirts of the former Mayview State Hospital. The demolition of several buildings caught my eye and just about stopped me in my tracks.

Getting out of my car for a better look, I met a young man, Chris Graziotto, who also noticed the building’s remains as he drove nearby.

“My great grandmother Bruna worked here for more than 40 years,” Chris shared with me. “She was an aide and later became the hospital’s recreation supervisor. I remember so many happy days, coming here to watch fireworks displays and for picnics. My family attended many of Mayview’s Kennywood days.”

As we walked near the former hospital’s entrance gate, I shared my own Mayview memories with Chris, bittersweet as they may be.

In the ’70s my dad suffered from depression due to his multiple health problems. From Veterans Hospital he moved to the Bengs Building at Mayview for what was to be only a few months of rehab.

As time went on, Dad developed circulation problems requiring amputation of his left leg. After only a few months, his right leg was also removed. Dad’s depression resurfaced, making caring for him at home impossible for my mother. For two years Dad moved between the Bengs residence and the Health Center for recuperation.

Mom and I wore out the pavement between Canonsburg and Mayview visiting Dad and offering encouragement several times each week. I learned to recognize other residents and many of the caregivers and volunteers. Before long we formed a bond of friendship. I was thankful for the care Dad was receiving.

It wasn’t the connection that I enjoyed that was important, but the way the staff and volunteers treated Dad that meant so much. The nurses and aides were friendly and helpful and Dad always let me know that Mayview workers were special people. Day or night, they were always willing to help.

Although he was often in pain, Dad loved to play cards and read the newspaper, any issue he could get. To this day, I can’t say enough about how grateful I am to the volunteers who kept him company. They played euchre and pinochle with him for hours and enjoyed discussing political issues and local happenings.

In warm weather I guided Dad around the campus in a wheelchair. We often stopped at the canteen, enjoyed picnics, parades and Christmas parties, all planned for the Mayview folks.

Although I wanted Dad home, he couldn’t have had better care anywhere.

Shopping at the greenhouse for spring flowers and poinsettias at Christmas, visiting the gift shop and helping to gather items as well as wrapping Christmas presents for the residents became a normal routine.

Mayview seemed to be a village of its own, and I looked forward to talking with many of those who lived there. Mom and I visited regularly and each week a few would wait outdoors for our arrival. Now that I think about those years, I know I needed them as much as, if not more than, they enjoyed my visits.

With the Bengs staff’s approval, I began bringing my mother cat, Princess, each Sunday. After a few weeks, some patients whom I’d never noticed smile were overjoyed with my furry pet. Both men and women seemed to glow with excitement and often would even say a few words. Princess’s new litter of kittens often made visits, too, adding to the resident’s delight. Mom and I began planning small parties each Sunday bringing kitties, popcorn and Kool-Aid. No two were happier than Mom and me.

Unfortunately, Dad’s health continued to fail and he was moved to a nursing home. He greatly missed the warm relationships at Mayview and lived but a few months outside his comfortable surroundings.

Although many residents were unable to take part in programs, so many benefited from such good care. Opportunities were made available to residents who were interested in flowers and planting, woodshop, ceramics, art and upholstery programs. Others enjoyed sporting and dancing events.

I’m sad that the buildings will soon be gone, but I know I’ll never pass that way without remembering how grateful I am to have my dad looked after with such wonderful care.

Mayview State Hospital opened as a psychiatric facility in 1893.