By Jade Glen
The Sheean family has strong connection to St John of God Hospital – five consecutive generations and at least 20 members of the family have come in to the world at St John of God and its predecessor, Berwick Bush Nursing Hospital.
The long association dates back to 6 April 1881, when Ethel Wenn was born to Officer pioneers John and Jane Wenn.
A further 10 of the couple’s 15 children were born in Berwick, witnessed by a nurse called Mrs Cadd. Ethel’s daughter Greta May Wright was born on 16 January 1916, delivered by the renowned Dr Percy Langmore.
Her grandson Andrew McCoubrie was born at the hospital on 16 January 1973. This was the first same birth date at the hospital.
Greta May married Alfred McCoubrie and their two children Judith and Robin were born at the hospital in 1944 and 1947, delivered by Dr Noel Stevenson.
Judith married Ronald Flynn and their two children were born at the Berwick Bush Nursing Hospital, as was one of Robin’s children. Judith’s daughter Marita followed in October 1975. She married Gareth Sheean and their third child Luke Thomas Sheean was born at St John of God Hospital on 10 October 2010.
October 10 is an auspicious date in the Sheean family – Luke’s grandfather Kevin Sheean shares the same birthday.
