The St Joseph’s Intermediate Paediatric Care Home will bid farewell to a very special staff member at the end of this year, who has been at the helm of St Joseph’s kitchen for over four decades.

Elizabeth van Neel, affectionately known as Aunty Cindy, and her team work tirelessly to bring a sense of joy to young patients during the festive season, many of whom are unable to spend Christmas at home due to chronic and life-limiting conditions.

For 44 years, Aunty Cindy has been the heart and soul of St Joseph’s kitchen, transforming it into a haven of warmth and nourishment. This Christmas Day, however, will mark the end of an era as Cindy prepares to retire on December 30.

Cindy began her career at St Joseph’s in 1980 at the tender age of 21. Since then, she has dedicated herself to making life brighter for the children, especially during holidays.

“Holidays like Christmas and Easter are a very special period for the kids, and it’s important to me to make these occasions feel special for the children,” Cindy shared.

“When we get donations, I try to get the children treats like sweets, chocolates, or chips. It always brings them so much joy, and it makes me happy to see their faces light up.”

Her commitment to providing wholesome, home-style meals has left a lasting impression on the children and staff alike.

“Unlike other hospitals, our children stay here for up to six months and sometimes longer depending on the acuity of their illness, so it is like a home for them,” Cindy explained.

“Over the years, we have learnt what they like to eat. For example, we know they don’t really like vegetables, so we try to put them in stews with meat to get them to eat them.”

Among her signature meals is the beloved Friday fish and chips, a tradition rooted in St Joseph’s Catholic foundations.

Cindy and her team begin preparations on Thursday, peeling potatoes and battering fish to ensure the meal is fresh and ready for the children by lunchtime the next day.

“Serving the children wholesome fresh food is important to me,” Cindy said, reflecting on her insistence on preparing everything from scratch.

Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. Cheryl Campbell, Cindy’s manager, praised her dedication:

“For the past 44 years, having the kitchen managed by Aunty Cindy has been an incredible blessing to everyone at St Joseph’s. The thousands of hearty meals she prepared with her dedicated team will always hold a special place in the memories of our young patients. Their favourites—fish and chips on Fridays and the classic Sunday lunch of roast chicken, potatoes, and vegetables—brought comfort and joy to so many. Cindy leaves behind big shoes to fill, but we are thrilled that she will now have the opportunity to enjoy her well-deserved retirement in her golden years.”

As Cindy prepares to retire, she reflects on the many memories she has gathered over the years.

“When I retire, I will miss the kids more than anything else,” she said.

“The nuns that were at St Joseph’s when I arrived have either died or gone back to Germany, with just one of them, now 92, still at the convent in Pinelands. I also see myself in many ways as a grandmother to the children we care for, so I will miss them the most.”

This festive season, St Joseph’s is calling on the public to support their Christmas Wish Campaign to ensure that young patients continue to receive the joy and comfort of special holiday meals.

Donations can be made HERE.

As Aunty Cindy’s remarkable career comes to a close, her legacy of love and dedication will live on in the hearts of the many children and families she has touched over the years.