Julia Cooney

28 December 1915.

Julia Cooney, one of the seven foundation nurses, was born in Davisville, near Wellington, NSW in 1887 and educated by the Sisters of St Joseph, Perthville.

In 1915, Julia was living in Ryde where she assisted her brother and his wife with their young family. Julia joined Our Lady’s Nurses on 28 December 1915 after being introduced to Eileen O’Connor by her local parish priest, Rev Father Edward Gell.

Julia went onto have one of the longest vocations of all the nurses. As the society’s first Novice Mistress, Julia encouraged new members to find the ‘hidden work’ in their duties and to see the value in everyone and their situation. Julia had a warm, unselfish personality and showed great love and interest in her nurse companions, patients and relatives. She loved concerts and played the piano and organ well into her old age.

Julia died on 21 December 1978 after almost 63 years of serving the sick poor. Her life-long nurse companion, Sister Agnes McGahey, died three weeks later..