A Friendship That Stands the Test of Time – Mady, the Little Wine Merchant

Throughout my life, I have had the privilege of meeting many extraordinary people. Some encounters, as unexpected as they may be, blossom into deep friendships that withstand the passage of time, distance, and life's many challenges. They remain forever etched in our hearts and become a lasting source of inspiration.

I first met Mady, affectionately known as "the Little Wine Merchant," in 1987 at a Hungarian Ball in Montreal. By chance—or perhaps by destiny—she happened to be seated beside me. I had attended the event in the hope of finding sponsors for a charity gala benefiting the Quebec Foundation for Abused Children. The gala was held at the Ritz-Carlton Montreal under the honorary patronage of the President of Air Canada.

That evening marked the beginning of a friendship that continues to this day.

Over the years, Mady became a constant presence in my life, especially during a difficult period when I was struggling through an unhappy relationship. Her compassion, attentive listening, and wisdom brought me comfort, clarity, and a renewed sense of perspective.

Mady is much more than a wine representative. A passionate numerologist for many years, she has developed remarkable intuition and a profound sense of spirituality. Through the language of numbers, she helps people better understand the challenges they face and discover a deeper meaning in their life's journey.

In 1990, while I was living in New York and working at United Nations Headquarters in the Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Public Information, I had the opportunity to travel to Tunis to attend a conference of the United Nations Information Centres. I decided to extend my stay with a vacation in Hammamet, where Mady joined me for two wonderful weeks.

That trip remains one of our most cherished memories. True to herself, Mady quickly began sharing her passion for numerology with the staff at the hotel where we were staying. Her intuition, generosity, and deeply compassionate nature won everyone over. By the time we were leaving, several members of the hotel staff asked her to return the following year so she could continue offering numerology consultations. Before long, Mady had become something of a local celebrity in Hammamet, and together we shared unforgettable days filled with laughter, discovery, and wonderful encounters.

Whenever Mady came to visit me in New York, she never went unnoticed. I arranged for her to use an office at my workplace so she could meet with colleagues who were curious about numerology. Word spread quickly, and her appointment book soon filled up through recommendations alone. Many of my New York friends also had the privilege of meeting her and benefited from her insightful guidance. Everywhere she went, Mady left behind a lasting impression of kindness, wisdom, and light.

Over the years, she has prepared numerology readings for many well-known personalities, including the internationally renowned singer Céline Dion—a testament to the confidence people placed in her remarkable gifts.

Her professional career has been equally inspiring. Today, at the age of ninety-three, Mady continues to represent Élixir with the same passion and dedication that have defined her career. Over the decades, she has built lasting relationships with a loyal clientele, including many of Montreal's finest restaurants.

What truly sets Mady apart, however, is her extraordinary ability to transform business relationships into lifelong friendships. Behind every bottle of wine was a compassionate listener, a comforting word, and thoughtful advice. Many of her clients confided in her, sharing their professional, personal, and family challenges. Through her wisdom and knowledge of numerology, she helped them better understand life's obstacles and find the strength to move forward with greater confidence and serenity.

Always driven by a desire to recognize the talents of others, Mady also created the Gala of Chefs, an annual event that became a great success. The gala was designed to honour chefs whose passion and creativity enrich the culinary world, yet whose contributions often go unnoticed.

Today, Mady is devoting her energy to a new dream that is especially close to her heart: writing her memoirs. Working alongside a professional writer, she hopes to share her extraordinary journey—a life filled with remarkable encounters, challenges overcome, and invaluable life lessons. She is currently seeking financial support to make the publication of her book a reality.

At ninety-three years of age, Mady continues to look toward the future with enthusiasm and optimism. Her age has never diminished her energy; instead, it reflects a life fully lived and an enduring desire to keep learning, sharing, and inspiring others.

As I look back on all these years, I realize how many precious memories we have created together—late-night conversations, unforgettable journeys, unexpected encounters, and countless moments of laughter. Those memories remain deeply treasured and represent some of the most beautiful chapters of my life.

It is my heartfelt wish that Mady's dream of publishing her memoirs will soon become a reality. I am certain that her story will inspire many readers and offer a powerful message of hope, resilience, generosity, and compassion. Mady is living proof that a life guided by passion, kindness, and a genuine concern for others leaves an enduring legacy in the hearts of everyone fortunate enough to know her.