Nurses who worked at a Derry hospital which closed its doors almost 20 years ago have met again at a reunion event held in the city.
The event was held in Da Vinci’s, where the former nurses from St Columb’s Hospital gathered to meet their old colleagues, many of whom they had not seen since the facility shut in 1988.
One of the organisers, Sheila McConnell, explained how the event had come about, and spoke of her delight at meeting so many old friends for the first time in two decades.
“I worked at St Columb’s Hospital from 1981 until it closed in 1988, after which we transferred to Altnagelvin Hospital,” she said.
“St Columb’s was such a lovely place to work, it was very homely and the patients were so well looked after, it was like a home away from home.
“So, myself, Margaret Brown, Martina Doherty and Michelle Doherty decided to organise a reunion for the staff that worked there.”
Sheila said that and the girls were delighted with the turn-out at Saturday’s event.
“We had about 60 people there, and there was great atmosphere,” she added.
“We had Mrs Arnott there, and Marie McAnaney, and also Vera McCaul, who is now 92 and looks great.
“We also had a video and old photographs, and there were people in them who are no longer with us anymore, so we raised a toast for absent friends.”
Sheila continued: “We had such a great time so I don’t think we’re going to leave it as long again until we have another get-together.”
Photo shows organising committaee, Margaret Brown, Sheila McConnell, Michelle Doherty and Martina Mullan.(Photo-K Quinn).
See tomorrow's Derry News for photographic coverage of the reunion.
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