Mary Allodi

Dear Jim - only hearing of this now - so sorry. The end of an era for me as I believe she was the last survivor of that lively, rather distinguished group that also included my mother. And she was always the nicest of them to other people's kids. Very sorry for your loss :) xo Rachel

Mary Allodi was one of the first curators to welcome me to the ROM. I had spent a year working with Canadian topographical art from the Manoir Richeleu Collection at the Public Archives. We shared a common interest. Mary's research and exhibitions in the Sigmund Samuel Canadiana Gallery increased our knowledge of the artists who documented early Canada. What makes me saddest about her passing is that currently the public and museum boards no longer appreciate the important work that curators do and how they make assets of museum collections. Thank you, Mary, for your great contributions!

I had met Mary years ago through "The Friends of The Canadian Collection of the AGO". She was a modest, mild mannered woman but always thoughtful in her scholarly manner. I have in my library her magnum opus, a two volume catalogue of "Canadian Watercolours and Drawings in the Royal Ontario Museum". I can't imagine the completion of this near Herculean task but she accomplished this with supreme devotion to her job. She contributed greatly to Canadian art history and culture. I admired her work and her person. Sincerest condolences to the family on the loss of this unique human being.