Newsletter
Intranet
Necrology for Sr. Veronica (Bridget Mary Sheehan)
Sr. Veronica, Bridget Mary Sheehan, was born in Ireland on August 9th 1932 to Ellen and Thomas Sheehan. She was the fourth eldest in a very large family. She had a happy childhood and from early days the nurse in her was already evident. She was a bright child and at 16 she was accepted for a pre-nursing course at a hospital in South London far from her native Ireland. Fortunately, she had lodgings with an Irish family with two small children, so she was consoled at leaving her own siblings.
When Bridie was thinking of doing her general nurse training year, her elder sister Maureen decided to try her vocation having seen an advert in Ireland for the Sisters of St. Joseph in London. Bridie went with Maureen on her first visit to the convent, not realising that it was God’s way of calling her, too. Once she knew the sisters did nursing, her mind was made up to enter, or at least to try.
On St. Patrick’s day 1951, two days before the feast of St. Joseph, the Sheehan girls entered the convent at Llantarnam Abbey. Sr. Veronica and Sr. Anne Bernadette made First Vows in 1953 and Final Vows in 1956.
After Final Profession Sr. Veronica started her general training at St. Anthony’s Hospital, Cheam where Sr. Mary of the Sacred Heart recognised in her a born nurse much loved by the patients. Sr. Veronica qualified as a State Registered Nurse in 1959 and went to the Jewish Hospital at Hampton Court for Midwifery Training.
On completing this training, Sr. Veronica joined Sisters Josephine, Loyola and Columba at the Maternity unit in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Malpas, Newport. To this day, mothers remember the wonderful care she gave and a number of babies were named after her. Sister then obtained a post at the Middlesex Hospital in London where she was a well-recognised figure and looked after the Catholic nurses as an extra.
When the unit closed, she moved to the convent in Cardiff and was attached to the University Hospital of Wales. During her time in Archbishop’s House, Archbishop Ward would sometimes come home with bundles of baby clothes from local bazaars for her.
On retirement in 1992, Sr. Veronica was asked by Sr. Monica if she would go to West Africa for 4 months to replace Sr. Ellen, working for Caritas International and teaching Health Care. She was warmly welcomed in Foula Bantang, a bush village, and committed to staying there until there was more help for the sick. The 4 months turned into 7 years during which a Swedish Organisation became interested and built a hospital. Once it was up and running, Sister came back to Llantarnam Abbey.
Sr. Helene the Superior in Senegambia wrote:‘Sister was well known for her missionary zeal in Gambia. She worked tirelessly in the Region of Basse. Her famous 4/4 truck was a common view between Basse and Foula Bantang. She did not hesitate to overload it to give children the joy of going to the national pilgrimage in Banjul as well as other important events and outings that delighted all. As a nurse, she cared for the sick with compassion and prayer knowing full well that she was not the Healer.’
Sr. Marie Pierre (Superior General) wrote:‘In The Gambia, Sr. Veronica saved so many children from malnutrition and supported numerous expectant mothers for whom prenatal consultations were a new and extraordinary experience.’
On her return from Africa, she spent 10 years in hospital chaplaincy work where her nursing training was a great asset. She was greatly appreciated by staff and patients alike. Besides this, she was part of local parish life wherever she went.
Following major surgery, sister’s health deteriorated. She maintained her independence and kept active while being able to give more time to prayer. When the Abbey closed, she moved to the New Inn community and used technology to keep in touch with Sisters, family and friends.
As the months passed, Sister Veronica became very tired, longing for her journey in this life to end. She died on Sunday 5th October 2025. Her funeral was well attended by the Sisters, family, friends and parishioners including Nuala, her sister who travelled from America and gave a tribute. Sister was buried in Llantarnam Abbey Cemetery with her sister, Sister Anne Bernadette, who had died in 2022.
May she rest in peace and rise in glory.