After 50 Years Apart, Six Former Nurses Have Reunited

After half a century, six former nurses have reunited, rekindling the bonds they formed during the early stages of their careers

. The six women—who once worked side by side at Whiteabbey Hospital—went their separate ways after their time together, with one of them moving as far as New Zealand and another settling in South Africa.

 Yet, despite the years and the distances, the bond they shared as both colleagues and lifelong friends has remained unbroken.

 “It feels fantastic to be back together again. It really doesn’t feel like that length of time,” says Annette Hughes, 81, reflecting on their reunion. “We were separated for so long, but everything just seems to fall back into place as if no time has passed at all.”

“We have so many shared memories—the fun, the matrons, the patients we nursed together,” adds Anita Harrison, 79.

“Everyone was very strict about uniforms. Our skirts had to be a certain length.”

 “It’s like a part of us has been rekindled by being in the same room again,” said Annette.

One particularly memorable moment comes from their time on night duty. Geraldine Vasserman, 79, recalls an incident with Kate Bradley, 80.

“Kate and I were on night duty, taking patients down for mass in the morning. Every night nurse had their own group of patients to escort, but one time I found that Kate had taken my patient out of the lift and put hers in! We ended up clawing at each other, both furious at the mix-up. We hated each other’s guts at the time.”

“And we’ve been the best of friends ever since!” Kate added.

In addition to their work at the hospital, the women also shared accommodation during their time at Whiteabbey.

 “Anita and I shared a room,” says Annette, “and you get to know a person well when you share a space like that.”

Christine McMenamin, 79, recalled, “There were nights when it was so cold in the room—there was this one pipe that ran through it. It would burn you if it touched you, but it did nothing to warm the place up.”

When asked what inspired them to become nurses in the first place, Kate had a very specific memory.

 “I decided I wanted to be a nurse because my daddy was in the Royal after being run over. I went down with my mum and sister, but I was turned away because I was too young. I told the nurse there and then that when I grew up, I would become a nurse, and I would let anyone in to see their sick Daddy.”

“I always wanted to be a nurse,” says Irene Zebedee, 78. “In 1966, I won the Belfast Telegraph Nurse of the Year award, and that was a proud moment for me.”

The memories they share are a mix of fun and challenges—sneaking out to dances, following showbands, and, of course, caring for their patients.

“We had to be in bed by 10:30 every night,” Anita says, “but if you wanted to go to the dances, you had to sneak out and climb over the wall.”

“If you wanted a late pass, you had to get a letter from your parents saying it was okay. It was a different time back then!”

They also remember the more unexpected moments from their time working together.

“One time, a patient needed a sling, but I’d never seen one before,” Geraldine recalls. “I went to ask my supervisor, and she told me to improvise. So, I grabbed some plasters and wrapped them from one leg to the other. The next day, my supervisor pulled me aside and asked, ‘How did you think of that?’ She was in hysterics! I was just following orders!”

Geraldine remembers a time they got a lift from a boy. “Annette promised him a kiss, but when the car stopped, we all ran out, leaving the poor guy shouting after us, ‘Where’s my kiss?’ We burst into laughter.”

After their time together, each of the women married, had children, and built fulfilling lives. Anita moved to New Zealand, Kate to Manchester, and Geraldine to South Africa. She returned to Northern Ireland ten years ago, but despite the physical distance, the bond they shared has only grown stronger over the years.

“It’s amazing how, after all these years, we can pick up right where we left off,” says Annette. “We’ve lived through so many different chapters in our lives, but this friendship has remained.”

As the six women sat together, sharing stories and laughter, it was clear that the passage of time had only strengthened their bond. Despite the decades that have passed and the many life changes they’ve experienced, their shared history as nurses and friends remains a constant source of joy, comfort, and support.