Mary Caroline DEEDES (née BRODHURST) (1859-1938)

Mary Caroline Deedes (1859-1938), née Brodhurst, was the wife of the godfather of Mela Brown Constable (Cyril Sladden’s fiancée). 

Mary was born on 1st July 1859 at Saharanpur, United Provinces, India, the second of ten children of Maynard and Mary Dent Brodhurst.  She was baptized at the hill station of Mussoorie on 7th August 1859.  Her father, Maynard Brodhurst (1829-1890), was a Judge of the High Court in the Bengal Civil Service.  In 1871, Mary and three younger siblings were in England, staying with their aunt in Newbold, Derbyshire.

Mary married Brook Deedes at All Saints Cathedral, Allahabad on 20th February 1889 in a double wedding ceremony with her younger sister, Amy, who was married on the same day.  Brook was at that stage a chaplain at the cathedral and later became the first Archdeacon of Lucknow.

Mary and Brook returned to England in 1897 when Brook was appointed firstly Vicar of Hawkhurst and then, from 1900, Vicar of St John’s, Hampstead. 

On Brook’s retirement from the church in 1921, they moved to 8 Victoria Park, Dover; Brook died there a year later.  Mary remained living at Victoria Park until her death on 16th January 1938.  Mary had become very involved in the work of St Mary’s Church, Dover, and did a great deal for such organizations as the Mothers’ Union and the Girls’ Friendly Society.  Her funeral took place at Saltwood, where her husband was buried, preceded by a service at St Mary’s, Dover.