Elizabeth Kumalo (84) has spent her life walking alongside the poor and the sick, making compassion tangible in people’s lives.

Retiring from her committee member role at The North Coast Courier Orphan Fund recently, the great-grandmother was celebrated in style with a celebratory lunch at Butcher Boys in Ballito, sponsored by the restaurant.

Elizabeth continues in her role as the co-ordinator at Vulamehlo Hospice in Melville.

The centre provides palliative care to patients battling life-threatening illnesses. The majority of people cannot afford private medical care and it is institutions like Vulamehlo that step in to afford patients the care and dignity they deserve.

The hospice has offered 24-hour inpatient palliative nursing care as well as home-based care for the KwaDukuza community for more than 16 years.

She credited the newspaper and Orphan Fund, especially founder Rose Stephenson, for supporting her work at the hospice all these years.

“We could not have continued without you,” she said.

Rose in turn thanked her for her service to the Orphan Fund.

“Elizabeth has been an invaluable member of the Orphan Fund, helping identify and discern where genuine needs lie,” she said.

Elizabeth was joined at the lunch by her daughter Patricia Cele, a registered nurse in the ICU at Alberlito Hospital. Patricia had her own studies at McCord Hospital sponsored by the Orphan Fund and has gone on to flourish in her chosen profession.