Personalities > Jean Mulligan

Jean Mulligan

Jean Mulligan (1923-) was born in Leichhardt, the fifth of nine children. Jean is a Glebe-Pyrmont super star who turned 100 on 25 January 2023. She has lived the history of the Depression, the War in Sydney, 50 years in Glebe working in factories and shops and 35 years in Pyrmont, including 25 years in the famous Ways Terrace. She had a bird’s eye view of Pyrmont’s transformation in the 1990s and 2000s. Her’s was a battler’s life. Her mother was admitted to Callan Park in 1937 after a long mental health illness. Jean spent most of childhood living with relations, foster homes and a Home for Girls. She started work at 14. She was 19 years old when Japan attacked Darwin on 19 February 1942. By 1944 she was engaged to an American sailor. When the war ended she decided to stay an Aussie city girl rather than live on a Texas farm. She worked for Lawrence Drycleaners for 31 years and survived an armed hold up. She remains a legend for her wit, her sharp mind and her compassion for all. After Sunday masses at St Bede’s on Sunday she would retire to the Star after Church to fund her charity for the poor. Now at St Joseph’s Care in Kensington she is a beacon of humour and community as she faces the ravages of Alzheimers around her.

Sources

• Conversations with Peter Hickson, 2023

Related Items

• History talk: A conversation with Jean Mulligan (video)