Agnes (May) McGahey

31 January 1915.

Agnes (May) McGahey arrives at Our Lady’s Home, taking the total number of foundation nurses to seven. May was born at Ryde, NSW, in 1888 and was educated by Sisters of Mercy. She was encouraged to meet Eileen O’Connor at the prompting of her parish priest, Rev Father Edward Gell, who together with his sister, Frances, was a generous benefactor of Our Lady’s Home.

May became the second Mother General of Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor in 1965, a position she held until 1974. May had a strong, commanding and dignified personality and was completely dedicated to the sick poor. Uncomplaining and always optimistic, she maintained that there was no problem that could not be solved by undeviating fidelity to Eileen O’Connor’s way.

May died on 18 January 1979, after almost 65 years of serving the sick poor.