Marion Greeves

Who was Marion Greeves?

Marion Janet Greeves, MBE was the first one of only two female members of the Senate of Northern Ireland, having been elected to serve as an independent member on 20 June 1950, retiring on 10 June 1969.

Greeves, who was born in England, was the daughter of George Cadbury, a Quaker philanthropist, and his wife Dame Elizabeth Cadbury.

She married linen manufacturer William Edward Greeves Deputy Lieutenant and High Sheriff of County Armagh, also a Quaker, on 14 February 1918, in Bournville. The couple had five children; two daughters and three sons. Despite being the daughter of one of the richest men in the UK she lived a relatively normal life at Ardeevin House, Portadown, County Armagh.

A Girl Guides centre is named in her honour, she was President of the organisation in Ulster. In 1948 she was awarded the MBE.