“Mary was born in Dundela Avenue in east Belfast in 1892 and lived to the grand old age of 90. Mary Rodie was no ordinary woman: she was the only daughter of five children born to Robert and Ellen McKee. She married John Rodie on July 1918 at Lisburn Road Methodist Church and they had five children who she introduced to literature, by reading to them, and to music, by playing the piano. John worked, as did many men in east Belfast, in the Harland and Wolff shipyard. These were war years and food was rationed. This motivated Mary to always supplement the family income. She was a fantastic seamstress and, throughout her life, used this skill for her family and for others. During the 1930s, and until the end of the Second World War, she ran a branch of Milville’s Funeral Directors on the Newtownards Road. The family lived about the premises during those years. In fact we learnt that locally she was known as Mrs Melville as she was the face of Melville’s. She became a person who offered advice and guidance to those in times of need, almost like an early version of Citizens Advice. Mary viewed the world with practicality, compassion, and kindness which she shared with people who lived in the neighbouring area. Her Legact lives on through her wisdom, love and her philosophy of ‘Give flowers to the living‘ and be grateful for the life you have.”
Gawn Street, east Belfast
Other entries in the Eastside Lives Heritage Trail include Miss McMinn’s Girls’ Club | The Godfather Of Legal Betting | Two Smart Alecs | Desano’s. For a list of all fourteen, see the Trail’s pamphlet (pdf).
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