Long lost sisters reunited

December 20, 2024

Pictured above: Dorothy and Kathleen enjoying each others company 

After almost two decades of searching and hoping, siblings Dorothy and Kathleen had all but given up hope of ever seeing each other again. 

But fate had a beautiful surprise in store for them.

Born and raised in Sydney, the sisters were inseparable throughout their lives. However, life took them in different directions and they lost contact after Dorothy, now 86, moved into Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT)’s St Catherine’s Aged Care Home in Grafton, completely unaware that her beloved younger sister, Kathleen, 82, was living just five minutes away, with her son.

It wasn’t until Kathleen's health began to decline following a series of falls, that she made the decision to move into aged care, and there in a twist of fate received what they both say was the best medicine possible. 

“I walked in the front doors and there was Dorothy sitting there, almost like she had been waiting for me,” Kathleen beamed.

“I walked straight up to her and said hi, it was like we’d never been separated.

“After all those years or searching and praying, we hugged so tightly we didn’t want to let go.

“One of the staff asked if we knew each other and with tears streaming down our faces I said ‘this is my sister who I love so much and have spent the last 15 long years looking for.

“I still can’t believe she is here, and we are together.” 

Recalling their reunion, older sister Dorothy shed tears of absolute joy. 

“I knew instantly it was her, and I thank God every day that he brought us back together,” she said.

“A day didn’t go by that I didn’t think about her or wonder what she was doing and now here we are living together again. 

“I love her so much and still can’t believe this has happened.”

Once again inseparable, the long-lost siblings now eat their meals together at their own table, do activities side by side and spend their days reminiscing about their lost years. 

Kathleen’s son Sonny said it was both their final wish to meet one another again.

“Mum has spent many, many years looking for Dorothy, her life just wasn’t quite right without her," she said. 

“We contacted many aged care homes over the years where we thought she may have been, but due to privacy laws they were unable to tell us anything.

“We are all so happy they will see out their years together how it should be.”