Mary Seddon
Like Harry Seresin, who catered to the
fledgling art and literary community in Wellington and established a
cultural haven in the city, Mary Seddon was a
colourful, larger-than-life figure. Unlike him she was New
Zealand-born. Staunchly independent, Seddon travelled alone
throughout Europe when it was still considered a daring and
unconventional thing for a woman to do. Back in New Zealand in 1950
after four years in Europe, Mary Seddon was filled with 'utter
despair'. After the lively European lifestyles she had become
accustomed to, Wellington seemed dull and boring.
Like Harry Seresin she perceived a gap
in New Zealand society, and decided to establish a café, the Monde
Marie, where people could go to just sit and talk. The Monde Marie
soon became a mecca for folk music enthusiasts. The environment
attracted an educated, bohemian crowd.
Seddon's European travels also
influenced the choice of food she served to customers. The coffee
was Kona, and the patrons could purchase cheesecake and yoghurt, chilli con
carne and spaghetti bolognaise. Meals were served with a buttered
roll and salad, and everything was priced reasonably. At a time when
the menu of most coffee bars consisted of toasted sandwiches the
Monde was considered to be European and sophisticated.
Mary 3rd from left with friends boarding a
bus tour 1969
Mary Seddon, born Greymouth May
20th, 1924, operated the Monde Marie Coffee Bar, Wellington,
from 1958 to 1970. She was born with an instant claim
to fame, being the granddaughter of turn-of-the-century Liberal
Party premier Richard "King Dick" Seddon. Her father, Thomas
Seddon, was an MP in the declining years of the party.
But Mary Seddon was determined to
mark her own right. She did a BA at Victoria during the war
years and was a lethal left winger for the Victoria Women's
Hockey team, whacking her opponents legs as often as she struck
the ball.
Staunchly independent, she
travelled Europe alone when it was still a daring and
unconventional thing to do. She came back with a fund of stories
that included encounters with Italian Lingerie Salesmen and
being arrested in Russia.
She taught at Samuel Marsden
Collegiate School in Karori where she had been a pupil, and had
an enduring impact on her pupils. Mary was also a film critic for
the weekly newspaper Truth. Seddon's reviews were some of the
best received and read.
Seddon, who never married, devoted
herself for years to the care of her aging mother. She was an
excellent cook but a disorganised one, and would take a chicken
from the freezer as late as 7pm. (this in pre-microwave days).
It was sometimes midnight before Mary and her guests sat down to
eat.
Mary was also a passionate
gardener with a particular fondness for Magnolias. They happened
to be in bloom when she died, and a spectacular cluster of mauve
magnolia flowers adorned her coffin.
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