M'dear is an elderly woman who lives in the boarding house Addy Walker lives in.
Personality and Facts[]
M'dear is an elderly woman who, shortly after Addy and her parents move into the boarding house, moves in herself. She is the mother of Mr. Golden, the owner of the boarding house, and her first name is never stated. Her age is unknown, but she playfully says she was there the day "God made dirt." Most likely she is in her seventies or eighties. She is blind but uses the rest of her senses to see in her own way. It is likely she became blind as she got older. She keeps a pet canary, Sunny.
M'Dear is an accomplished quilter and as a young girl she used to work on Society Hill as a chore girl. She was born free, rather than having been enslaved at any point in her life; however, her parents were enslaved. She cares about children, doing her best to assist them and especially Addy. for children. She makes friends with Addy shortly after moving into the boarding house and gives her advice and comfort. Addy enjoys assisting her and getting advice from her.
In The Books[]
Happy Birthday, Addy!: A Springtime Story[]
Addy first hears about M'dear when Mr. Golden is moving her into the boarding house. Addy is disappointed that she's not a playmate as she's lonely in the afternoon as the only child in the boarding house. That night after dinner she sees the candlelight and hears Sunny singing in his cage, and M'dear calls out for her to come in and calls her "child". She explains that she knew Addy was a child because of her small close footsteps. She later advises Addy should pick her own birthday since she doesn't know when it is. She also says that while Sunny is caged, the cage doesn't hold his spirit—his song.
Through the book M'dear gives Addy advice. Addy learns how to hear the double Dutch ropes by listening without seeing. When M'dear needs medicine, Addy and Sarah go to get it together, resulting in the incident on the streetcar. M'dear reassures the upset girls by saying how people who are prejudiced are blinder than she is, and that Addy and Sarah should not let prejudice lock them up.
When the war ends and Addy picks that day for her birthday, M'dear gives her a tin of benne candies and two of Sunny's feathers to remind Addy to always let her spirit sing out.
Addy Studies Freedom[]
M'dear is seen in the kitchen lamenting the death of Lincoln with the other adults.
Addy's Wedding Quilt[]
M'dear is helping Addy with the quilt she's making for her parents' wedding day; Addy is storing it in M'Dear's room so that her parents do not discover it. She inspects Addy's work with her fingers and says it has improved. When Addy discusses Auntie Lula and Uncle Solomon and how she wishes they were there, M'dear explains that a quilt can be a reminder of the past. She has Addy get out a quilt she made, that has fabric from clothing her late husband wore. She made it after he died and it serves as a reminder for her. The appliqués on her quilt are inspirations from her husband's career as a blacksmith. These inspire Addy to add them to hers, and M'dear tells her to just think about the right things to add.
After being upset with Harriett's accusation that her parents aren't really married since they only jumped a broom, Addy thinks to discuss it with M'dear. M'dear is resting, however, and so Addy ends up discussing this with her mother.
Addy goes back to M'dear's room to complete the quilt just before the wedding. After the wedding Addy brings the quilt to M'dear and has her run her hands over the appliqué of a broom. M'dear is able to tell what it is with feel alone.
Shadows on Society Hill[]
M'Dear is among the others as the Walkers are leaving the boarding house. She tells Addy to remember that she is always loved.
In The Play[]
M'dear is not cast in the play, but the cover of Addy's Wedding Quilt was used on much of the advertising for the play where she is shown.