Tributes are pouring in for a a lot beloved café proprietor and mother-of-two who locals describe as a ‘stunning soul’.
Lizelle Viljoen, who together with husband TJ Viljoen owns the favored Pasture of Balmoral café which overlooks family-friendly Balmoral Seashore within the northern Sydney suburb of Mosman, handed away on Monday after succumbing to bone most cancers.
Michela Crispino, who’s the overall supervisor of the café plus the couple’s lately opened second venue Pasture of Kirribilli, additionally in north Sydney, mentioned Ms Viljoen handled her ‘like a daughter’.
‘I’ve identified her for six years since I moved to Australia,’ Ms Crispino mentioned.
‘Once I moved into the restaurant the primary day they opened she was there with open arms.
‘She was at all times smiling, she at all times had form phrases for everybody, for all our workers, all our clients, so everybody knew her for the reason that first day we opened.
‘She was an angel, she was at all times calm, she at all times handled me like one other daughter.’
Ms Crispino, who is healthier identified to locals by her nickname of Mika, mentioned messages had been coming in from all over the world from those that had labored on the café saying it was ‘a privilege to work along with her’.
A lot beloved Sydney café proprietor Lizelle Viljoen has handed away on the age of 54 after a battle with most cancers
‘A lot of the workers of Balmoral are the identical since we opened,’ Ms Crispino mentioned.
‘It is extra like a household restaurant. Prospects are coming and asking about her and everyone seems to be crying, everybody is gloomy for the loss, It is a laborious time for everybody in the mean time.
‘They (the house owners) are particular for us. They’d at all times be right here for us, they at all times deal with all of the workers.’
Ms Crispino mentioned Ms Viljoen had been battling most cancers for a number of years.
‘She did rather well till December after which in January, she acquired actually sick once more,’ Ms Crispino mentioned.
‘She at all times stored doing the whole lot, she at all times got here within the café, at all times with a sort phrase.’
The Pasture of Balmoral cafe has been in mourning following the demise of the much-loved proprietor
Ms Viljoen’s final hours had been spent surrounded by household.
‘She was in peace,’ Ms Crispino mentioned.
‘I noticed her on the Friday as a result of she requested to see me.
‘Her first phrases to me had been ‘thanks Mika and please say thanks to all of the workers at Balmoral and Kirribilli’.’
Ms Viljoen and her husband moved to Australia from the South African metropolis of Johannesburg in 2009.
After working as a instructor for the Northern Seashores Christian College in north Sydney, Ms Viljoen satisfied her husband, who was a CEO for the Australia-Pacific area of a worldwide firm, it was time to make a life change.
Ms Viljoen got here to Australia from South Africa in 2009 and is survived by two grownup daughters and twin grandchildren
‘Lizelle was nervous that I used to be burning out within the company world,’ TJ advised Mosman Residing in 2019.
‘So after plenty of soul looking out I made a decision to vary issues up and we threw ourselves headlong into the equally difficult world of hospitality!’
It was the fulfilment of dream the couple had after they first set eyes on Balmoral Seashore, the place Mr Viljoen spied the café on The Esplanade and mused he want to open one thing related.
A decade later the couple took over the venue from the La Repubblica.
‘We at all times had this imaginative and prescient to create a sustainable restaurant that works with native producers and suppliers,’ Ms Viljoen advised Beanscene journal in 2022.
‘I feel human connection is likely one of the most necessary issues in life, and hospitality actually lets you create these relationships.’
Pasture of Balmoral put out a press release to mark Ms Viljoen’s passing on social media.
‘It’s with profound disappointment that we announce the passing of our beloved Lizelle,’ the publish mentioned.
‘Lizelle was not only a pillar of our restaurant; she was the guts and soul of our group. Her radiant smile, form phrases, and real heat touched everybody who had the pleasure of assembly her.
‘Lizelle’s presence was a beacon of sunshine. She had a exceptional means to make everybody really feel welcome and valued, lighting up any room she entered. Her spirit and love for all times will proceed to encourage us all.
Our hearts are heavy, and our ideas and prayers are with TJ and all of Lizelle’s household throughout this extremely tough time.
‘Lizelle, you’ll ceaselessly stay in our hearts and be deeply missed by your entire Pasture crew and all who knew you.’
Regulars on the café added their condolences and tributes.
‘Sending love and assist to TJ and household throughout this very tough time,’ one wrote.
‘Such unhappy information,’ one other mentioned.
‘She was such a stunning human being and introduced life and lightweight in every single place she went. God bless you all.’
‘I’m heartbroken to examine. God consolation everybody’s coronary heart on this second. God bless you all, Amen,’ wrote one other.
‘So so sorry in your loss. What a lovely soul,’ one other remark learn.
Ms Viljoen is survived by two grownup daughters and in addition twin grandchildren.
