By Mitchell Clarke
A Pakenham woman was thrilled to celebrate this year’s Mother’s Day as a great-great-great grandmother.
Alice Joy Sutcliffe, affectionately known as Joy, recently welcomed a new branch to her family tree, with the arrival of baby Atlas Reign Sutcliffe on 15 April.
Little Atlas was born to Bradley Sutcliffe and Sarah Long. Bradley and his sister Brooke Williams are the children of Amanda and Andrew Williams. Amanda (nee Sutcliffe) is one of four girls born to Joy’s son Barry Sutcliffe and his wife Margaret.
The remarkable birth of Atlas has set up five generations of surviving family, giving Joy the incredible title of a great, great, great grandmother.
To make the story even more special, Ms Sutcliffe shares the same title as Margaret’s mother, Ruth Gissing, who is also still alive.
Due to a broken ankle, Joy remains in South Eastern Private Hospital where she’s looking forward to returning home.
Prior to being admitted to the hospital, Joy was transferred to several other facilities for her recovery, and it’s understood some of the facilities made it quite difficult to contact her loved ones.
Her family are “delighted” that they’re able to speak with Joy, especially on Mother’s Day.
“News of becoming a great-great-great grandmother has been a wonderful delight to Joy,” a family spokeswoman told the Gazette.
The family said Covid-19 has been a “frustrating” time, as they haven’t been able to travel and properly introduce Joy to Atlas.
“Telephone has been the only contact the family have shared as digital face to face contact hasn’t been possible due to the current hospital situation,” she said.
“The family are intending to travel as soon as possible and Joy will meet her new great-great-great grandson.
“This will present the opportunity to get those lasting memories and photos of this amazing five generation achievement.”
