MAUREEN'S MEMORIES
Maureen was taken to St Joseph's home at the age of 3 – the year was 1946. Both of her parents were alcoholics and incapable of looking after their children. Her two elder sisters were also sent to St Joseph's. Maureen doesn't remember much about the early days there, she just remembers being split from her family, being very sad and being placed in the nursery. |
Nobody ever came to visit Maureen.
She felt very lonely and dreamed about somebody loving her.
Christmases came and went. Still no visitors no presents.
Maureen felt unwanted.
She was never allowed to see her brothers or sisters.
Maureen began to rebel.
She wanted to try and run away but she had nowhere to run to.
Maureen was given the job of looking after the chickens
She named them all and pretended they were her family.
One day, one of the nuns told Maureen:
“You need to have a wash, a change of clothes and be on your best behaviour.”
Maureen wasn’t told why but did as she was told.
Maureen walked into the main room and saw a tall dark-haired woman.
The nun said “This is your mother Maureen.”
Maureen looked at the woman, shrugged her shoulders and walked away.
The nun then asked Maureen why she’d done that.
Maureen said “I don't know that woman. She’s scary.” and ran off crying.
Maureen remembers the older girls being bullies and always taking sweets off her.
Walking to school she recalls young boys shouting and swearing at the Catholic girls.
The nuns were harsh, never showing any love or compassion.
Maureen was growing up but always felt very alone.
She had trouble making friends and preferred to be on her own…
She felt very lonely and dreamed about somebody loving her.
Christmases came and went. Still no visitors no presents.
Maureen felt unwanted.
She was never allowed to see her brothers or sisters.
Maureen began to rebel.
She wanted to try and run away but she had nowhere to run to.
Maureen was given the job of looking after the chickens
She named them all and pretended they were her family.
One day, one of the nuns told Maureen:
“You need to have a wash, a change of clothes and be on your best behaviour.”
Maureen wasn’t told why but did as she was told.
Maureen walked into the main room and saw a tall dark-haired woman.
The nun said “This is your mother Maureen.”
Maureen looked at the woman, shrugged her shoulders and walked away.
The nun then asked Maureen why she’d done that.
Maureen said “I don't know that woman. She’s scary.” and ran off crying.
Maureen remembers the older girls being bullies and always taking sweets off her.
Walking to school she recalls young boys shouting and swearing at the Catholic girls.
The nuns were harsh, never showing any love or compassion.
Maureen was growing up but always felt very alone.
She had trouble making friends and preferred to be on her own…
Maureen's memories shared by her daughter Joanne - May 2016