For more than 40 years, Ryde local resident and midwife Kathy Lingard has delivered hundreds of babies, with some now having babies of their own.

Kathy has been with Ryde Hospital and North Shore Ryde Maternity Service for more than three decades, after starting her career in 1987 at the Royal Women’s Hospital at Paddington.

Describing her passion for nursing and midwifery as a "calling" rather than a job, Kathy’s mum was a nurse and when Kathy was a child, she had a nurse doll that she shared with her twin sister.

"I have been around for so long that I have been lucky to be involved with second generation births," she said.

"Many mums and dads who I helped birth are now coming back to Ryde Hospital to have their own children and that is truly magical and very special to me"

Kathy was one of the last midwives to work in Ryde Hospital’s Denistone House.

Ryde Hospital and North Shore Maternity Unit Managers Anna Winter and Joanna Yetsenga said Kathy educated many midwives in the art of antenatal care.

"Her knowledge and understanding of antenatal care is excellent and she leaves her legacy in the form of a much sought-after ‘midwifery bible’ - a notebook Kathy had made notes in over the course of her career," said Joanna.

"Her dedication and reliability is an inspiration to us all."

Kathy has lived in Ryde most of her life and was nominated for Ryde Citizen of the Year in 2011.

She said she is often recognised in the community by mums and dads and feels very lucky to have been part of growing the local community.

"I feel truly blessed that I found Ryde Hospital and the maternity service/Midwifery Group Practice is my family and I feel very proud to have served the community," she said.

Kathy will be returning to the hospital to join the volunteers as one of the Pink Ladies.