Obituary of Mary Ellen Rodger

Mary Ellen Rodger (née McManamen)
Aug 6, 1930 -Sept 22, 2019

After a brief illness, Mary made an Irish exit and passed away peacefully at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, surrounded by the love of her family. 
 
She was the beloved wife of Thomas MacIntosh (Tim) Rodger for 64 years, 11 months and 27 days. Loving mother of Thomas (Susan), Kevin (Teresa), James, Catherine (Colin), and Ellen (Jim). Grandmother to Jessie, Marguerite (Dave), Anne-Marie, Patrick, and Sean, and great grandmother to Cameron Thomas May.

She was predeceased by her great granddaughter Alexandra Elizabeth May, her parents Mary Marguerite McManamen (nee McIlroy) and Michael Felix McManamen, and her brothers John (Giselle), and Charles.

Born and raised in Camrose and New Norway, Alberta, Mary was a prairie girl who began her career beautifying women in the hairdressing industry in 1954. Many can attest to her giving the best shampoos. She worked, laughed, and created beauty for many years.

Mary fiercely loved her family. She had a gift for telling a story, and was a fun-loving, welcoming, and generous person, beloved by many. She will be missed more than words can say. We were so lucky and blessed by her love and attention. Mary is not here to tell her stories now, so we all share in taking her memories forward. 

Donations made in memory of Mary may be made to the Lung Association, Chatham-Kent Women's Centre, or to the SickKids Foundation in honour of Alexandra.

Family will receive guests at McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair St., Chatham on Tuesday, September 24th, 2019  from 2:00-4:00pm and  7:00pm-9:00pm. A Funeral Mass at St. Ursula's Parish, 205 Tweedsmuir Ave. West will take place on Wednesday at 11am. A Burial will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery, Chatham. 

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com

McKinlay Funeral Home
459 St. Clair. St.
Chatham