From Engineer to Advocate: Betty Victor's Impact
By: Faith Jeffcoat
Leaving a Legacy
"Betty was a legend at the University of Pittsburgh," says Mario, husband of the late Betty Victor. Her influence and legacy left an indelible mark on the University, particularly within the School of Engineering. In conversations with Mario and others who knew her well, we heard heartfelt stories of the profound impact Betty had on their lives.
Betty's Illustrious Career
Betty was more than a dedicated employee; she was the cornerstone of the School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. Managing a multi-million-dollar budget, directing personnel, and overseeing grants, student, and building administration activities, Betty was a linchpin of the school's operations.
Betty graduated with a class of just 17 students in Export, Pa. Recognizing her exceptional talents, her principal and teacher recommended she interview at the University of Pittsburgh, where she was quickly hired into the steno pool – a group of employees who take notes in shorthand for the department. From there, she worked her way up, department by department, until she became the Director of the School of Engineering at Benedum Hall.
In a piece written in the University Times, Swanson Dean Emeritus Gerald Holder, who worked with Betty for more than two decades, described her as “the director of everything. She worked very hard, all the time. She was the person people went to when they needed an issue they wanted to have solved. She was really valuable across many, many things for her skills, her loyalty, her responsibility.”
When Betty retired in 2013 after 50+ years, her colleagues created a booklet in her honor, filled with heartfelt tributes from chancellors, deans, staff, and students.
Betty's Diagnosis and Treatment
In 2016, not long after her retirement, Betty began feeling unwell. A visit to UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital revealed that she had ovarian cancer. The diagnosis was a heavy blow for both Betty and Mario, but Betty faced it with the same strength and determination she applied to every aspect of her life. "She was strong, and she dealt with it. She had in her mind that she was gonna beat it," Mario shares.
Throughout her treatment, Betty remained a beacon of hope and encouragement for other patients. "She’d see other patients and make them feel at ease, that they were gonna beat it too," Mario says. "She was that type of person."
Betty loved animals, and during her time at UPMC Magee, she developed a special bond with a service dog named Eddie. His visits brought her joy and comfort, making her smile even during the challenging times of her treatment.
And when Betty’s strength wavered, her nurses were there to support her.
“Whenever Betty was feeling down, her nurses went out of their way to make her feel at ease and cared for,” Mario recalls. “The staff even made her a card and came to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ on her special day. They told her she was their hero. She will always be my hero.”
Betty's compassion and positive attitude endeared her to the medical staff at UPMC Magee. She developed a special bond with one of her nurses, Jennifer Matthews. "Jennifer made her feel so comfortable, it was like she was her own child," Mario says. Their connection went beyond the hospital; Jennifer would share photos and stories of her dog, Benji, bringing a touch of normalcy and joy to Betty's days.
Jennifer Matthews reflects on her time with Betty, saying
“Betty had a fierce ability to show kindness, sarcasm, and wit. She knew how to live life with dignity and a sense of humor that would get us all laughing. I am forever grateful for the friendship Betty and Mario shared with me. For loved ones, grief is linear in nature, but for Betty to be acknowledged as a generous spirit that will continue to impact future lives for time to come is very honorable; what a legacy to leave to the world!”
A Lasting Legacy
Even in the face of her illness, Betty's thoughts were never far from helping others. She made it clear to Mario that if she didn’t come through her illness, Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation should receive two separate large gifts, one unrestricted and the other for ovarian cancer research.
"When I found out what she had set up, it made me feel good because that’s what she wanted ... I was proud to have her as my wife," Mario says.
Betty's legacy at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital is a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have.
In her honor, Mario is now including Magee-Womens in his will as well. Together, their combined legacy will help advance lifesaving research and patient care and provide hope for generations to come.