Remembering Molly Vidler

Erieau said goodbye to a local legend Thursday, as Molly Vidler was laid to rest.

The “Molly” in Molly and OJ’s passed away May 1 at the age of 86.

Kristy Shillington knew Molly, the “Queen of Erieau,” for more than three decades, as she began working at the restaurant in 1983.

“Molly just lit up a room when she came in. She was a true gem,” she said. “She knew how to make people laugh.”

Molly’s route to Erieau began in Belfast, Ireland, her birthplace. Molly McCoy married OJ Vidler there in 1948, after meeting OJ while he was stationed there with the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. Following their marriage, she immigrated to Canada, arriving in Montreal and settling in Erieau, OJ’s home town.

They eventually opened a grocery store, and in 1966, moved it to the current site of the iconic restaurant, adding a coffee shop.

That restaurant sprang up on the site in the 1970s, attracting thousands to Erieau every year.

Through the years, Molly and OJ remained very active in interacting with the customers, Shillington said.

“Molly and OJ used to sit at the tables. She’d be in Friday and Saturday nights sitting with the clientele and sharing stories,” she said.

Shillington described Molly as “the truest of Irish,” and a big fan of celebrating her heritage, especially every March 17.

“St. Paddy’s Day was her favourite day of the year,” she said.

As for life around the restaurant without Molly, Shillington said it won’t be easy.

“It’s going to be rough not having her around. But she would say, ‘We must go on,’” she said.

(Video courtesy Ashley Goodbrand)