JOYCE Booth, a long-time volunteer at the Rosebud Hospital, is being remembered as “someone who had a way of making everyone feel seen and valued,” after her passing at 90.
She dedicated 25 years’ service to the hospital’s Pink Ladies volunteer group, and in the kiosk where she helped and brought a warm smile to doctors, specialists, patients and all staff.
“You couldn’t ask for a more selfless, loving person,” her daughter Tracey Fernandez said. “She made a lasting impact on everyone she met.”
Even after retiring as a volunteer, the great-great grandmother would still visit everyone at the hospital for a cuppa.
Up until her passing on 10 June, Joyce faced significant health challenges, living with Lewy body dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and vascular dementia. But despite those diagnoses, Fernandez, who was her primary carer, said she remained dignified and full of love.
“In the last two years in hospital, staff would come in and say, ‘she made the best sandwiches.’ We always looked forward to her sandwiches,” she said.
“When not in hospital, she enjoyed her time, being pushed in her wheelchair to shops, op shops, lunch dates, and many trips to the beach. I would be pushing her wheelchair, and she would have a matching flower in her hair, matching jewellery, and we were always getting stopped by people in the community, saying ‘you look so beautiful’. A lot of the time young guys.”
Born in Boneo in 1934, Joyce was the fourth generation to David Cairns and Janet Thompson from Scotland.
Her father’s cousin David Cairns generously donated his family home named “Elanora” along with nine acres of land in Rosebud to The Alfred Hospital in 1935, paving the way for the Rosebud Hospital to be built at the same site in 1961. A commemorative plaque was unveiled in 2003, honouring his contribution with the original home being heritage listed.
Joyce married and had four children and later moved to Dromana where they had another three children. Sadly, the relationship with her husband broke down and she was left alone, with no money, food or a car.
In 1974 Joyce left her husband and moved her two youngest girls to Boneo, to her mother. Joyce got a job in a restaurant and then worked for the shire cleaning houses. She then managed to get a flat in Hope St in Rosebud for her and the two youngest girls.
In 1979, she met Kenneth Booth and went on to marry in April 1982, and was at last, happy. Unfortunately, they separated in 1991 but remained friends.
After she retired, Joyce enjoyed bingo, shopping, going to op shops, visiting family and friends and going out for meals.
Fernandez said her mother would be remembered as a “beautiful soul with unwavering kindness”. “She gave so much to help others, always putting others first. She would also visit her three aunties without fail every week at nursing homes until their passing.”
Joyce celebrated her 90th birthday at the Lynbrook Hotel on 24 September last year, surrounded by family and friends and a bagpiper.
A service was held at the Rosebud Funerals Chapel on 20 June where attendees were asked to wear a splash of yellow.
First published in the Mornington News – 29 July 2025
