For 25 years, Joan has been making Mary Bridge a lot less scary.

Her Child Life Program started back in the late 1970s as a way to help the kids and their families deal with the trauma of being hospitalized. She's been the guardian angel for hundreds of kids, many whose final days were here at Mary Bridge.

Joan tells child, "I'm going to miss you when I retire." Child says, "I'm going to miss you more."

Through all of those years of helping others, nothing prepared Joan for this when a child said, "I love you all the way to Pluto and back."

Joan keeps it together then, but down the hall she melts into tears. "This is so hard," she said.

But Joan wants the focus to be on the children, not her retirement. Two minutes later, she mustered a smile for another child.

Joan says children can spot a phony a mile away. The kids know she's the real deal.

Child says, "You always make me happy, too, even through the hard times." Joan echoes, "Even through the hard times." Child says, "You're always there to help me. I really appreciate it. I kind of wish you wouldn't retire."

When Joan was asked, "Are you thinking of reconsidering and not resigning, not retiring?" Joan says, "No. It's the right time and it's time for the younger new people to come along and to do the wonderful work we do here at this hospital."

She knows the hospital will carry on, but everyone here agrees it just won't be the same without this guardian angel walking the halls.

A gala retirement party is set for Wednesday night. Joan's final day is Dec. 30.