Mary French Rockefeller
Mary French Rockefeller | |
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New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center | |
Burial place | Rockefeller Family Cemetery Sleepy Hollow, New York |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Vassar College (1931) |
Occupation | Philanthropist |
Known for |
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Board member of | YWCA National Board (1955–1973) |
Spouse | |
Children | |
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Mary Billings French Rockefeller (May 1, 1910 – April 17, 1997) was an American heiress, socialite, philanthropist, and a member of the extensive
Early life
Mary Billings French was born to John French (b. December 4, 1863) and
Mary (the younger) had two siblings, an older brother John (1909–1984) and a younger sister Elizabeth, who went by "Liz" (1912–1976).[4] John had been a roommate of Nelson Rockefeller while both attended Dartmouth College. The French children were born into "wealth and privilege", though Mary tried to live an unostentatious lifestyle as an adult.[5] Through her mother, the younger Mary was a tenth generation descendant of Major Simon Willard, a Massachusetts historical figure.[6]
Personal life
Mary met Laurance S. Rockefeller in 1927. On August 15, 1934, Mary married Laurance at the
Together Mary and Laurance had:- Laura Rockefeller Chasin (1936–2015)
- Marion Rockefeller Weber (born 1938)
- Lucy Rockefeller Waletzky (born 1941)
- Laurance "Larry" Spelman Rockefeller Jr.(born 1944)
On April 17, 1997, she fell in her apartment in Manhattan and died later the same day at the
Philanthropy
Mary worked closely with her husband on a number of philanthropic projects, mostly focused on conservationism and donation of their money, estates and time.
At the age of 41, Mary inherited what is now known as the
Mary was an ardent supporter of the
The Mary French Rockefeller Educational Center is located at
References
- ISBN 978-0-52021497-2.
- ^ Cutter, William Richard (1913). New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of Commonwealths and the Founding of a Nation. Vol. 2. Lewis historical publishing. p. 643.
- ^ Social Register, New York. Social Register Association. 1894. p. 6.
- ^ "Cultural Landscape Report For the Mansion Grounds" (PDF). National Park Service – U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ^ a b "Laurance S. Rockefeller". American Academy for Park & Recreation Administration. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ^ Register of the National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York. National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York. 1913. pp. 256–8.
- ^ "Laurance S. Rockefeller, 1910-2004". Rockefeller Family & Associates. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ^ "Miss Mary French Marries Rockefeller Kin". Pottstown Mercury. 16 Aug 1934. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ^ Nemy, Enid (19 Apr 1997). "Mary Rockefeller, Women's Advocate, Dies at 86". New York Times. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ISBN 9781584650867.
- ^ "Women's Rights Advocate Mary Rockefeller, 86". Chicago Tribune. 23 Apr 1997. Retrieved 7 January 2015.