Six weeks after the day of foundation, the first of the early Sisters arrived. They were to form the nucleus of the new society and to put into action the ideals and hopes of the co-founders, Eileen O'Connor and Father Edward McGrath.
In 1963, the year of the Golden Jubilee of Our Lady's Home, Father McGrath declared that these "heroic souls were the strong foundations on which he and Eileen O'Connor had built".
From the beginning the Sisters wore the nurse's uniform of the day. They chose to wear the brown veil and cape in honour of St Joseph and because the colour was distinctive and practical. Hence, the iconic title, the Brown Nurses.
THERESA MCLAUGHLIN
Theresa (Cissie) was the first of Our Lady's Nurses joining on 26 May 1913. She was born in Sodwalls, NSW and educated at Rosebank College, Five Dock. Cissie was to become the first Superior of the Society and, later, Mother General of the Congregation retaining that position until her death on 28 March 1965. She had brought Eileen's plans to fruition in creating a new religious congregation. Her own Sisters recalled that Eileen had said:
"You will have many Superiors, but you will never have another like Cissie McLaughlin".
MARY DROHAN
Mary was born in Ballarat, Victoria. She joined the group on 31 May, 1913. She was known for her culinary expertise and her sense of humour, especially able to tempt Eileen to eat more. She died on 24 December, 1934.
ELLEN FITZGERALD
Ellen was born in Harden, NSW and was a teacher prior to joining the small group on 8 August, 1913. She gave over sixty years of her life to the service of the sick poor and died on 9 June, 1975.
CATHERINE LYNCH
Catherine was attracted to Our Lady's Nurses after attending Father McGrath's mission in Parkes. She came from Forbes to join Eileen on 8 April, 1914. The Catholic Weekly of 25 June 1942 wrote "She loved to set out day by day laden with comforts for God's poor. The more difficult the cases, the more they appealed to her heart". She died on 12 June, 1942.
CATHERINE MCGRATH
Catherine (Kit) was born in Wagga Wagga and as a small child moved to Parkes. She joined the little group at Coogee on 28 May, 1914. She, too, was known for her good humour and strength of character. She died on 28 August, 1942. Her requiem was shared by many friends and grateful patients and celebrated by her missionary brother who came from Bathurst Island.
AGNES MAY MCGAHEY
May (as she was known from childhood) was born at Ryde and was a parishioner of Father Gell. She joined Eileen on 24 January, 1915. It has been said that she was "a wonderful person, loyal and true to the Society". When Mother McLaughlin died on 28 March, 1965, May became Acting Mother General and was elected as Mother General at the General Chapter on 24 September, 1965. She was a larger than life figure, genial, bustling, optimistic, unaware of any problem that could not be solved by undeviating fidelity to Eileen O'Connor's way. She died on 18 January, 1979, the last of the original seven.
JULIA COONEY
Julia was born in Davisville and joined the group on 15 December, 1915, having been introduced to Eileen by Father Gell. She was living in Ryde at the time with her brother and assisting his wife with their young family. She was the first Novice Mistress of the Society. After sixty-three years with Our Lady's Nurses, Julia died on 21 December, 1978.