Now, she is learning to play the harp and is looking forward to travelling abroad with her husband, Tony.

Mrs Cacciola, 61, CEO of Calvary Hospital Kogarah for 15 years, retired from work earlier this year.

Before Calvary she worked at Sutherland Hospital in a variety of nursing, clinical and management roles.

"I've never regretted becoming a nurse," she said.

"That's because of the people contact and that you are able to make life better for people."

She said she loved all her jobs but that Calvary was "the best of all because it made the biggest difference to people's lives".

Calvary is a sub-acute public hospital that provides palliative care and rehabilitation services to thousands of patients each year.

Mrs Cacciola, who has two sons Anthony and David (David is about to be married) said what she was most looking forward to in retirement was "grandchildren," exercising and learning the harp.