Mary French Rockefeller, American association executive. Recipient Gold medal National Institute Social Sciences, 1972, Ambassador award Young Women’s Christian Association of the United States of America, 1993.
Background
She was married to Laurance Rockefeller, son of John Davison Rockefeller Junior. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. Mary Billings French was born to John French (b December 4, 1863) and Mary Montagu Billings French (1869–1951), daughter of financier Frederick Billings. Her mother was an heiress while her father was a lawyer, and the couple married in 1907.
John was the son of Warren Converse French and Sarah Ann Steele.
Education
Student, Vassar College, 1927-1929;
student, Art Students League New York City, 1929-1934.
Career
She was the mother of Laura Rockefeller Chasin, Marion Rockefeller Weber, Lucy Rockefeller Waletzky, and Laurance Spelman Rockefeller Junior.
The French children were born into "wealth and privilege", though Mary tried to live an unostentatious lifestyle as an adult. Through her mother, the younger Mary was a tenth generation descendant of Major Simon Willard, a Massachusetts historical figure. Mary met Laurance South. Rockefeller in 1927.
The ceremony was officiated by Reverend Herbert Hines and was attended by approximately 300 guests, followed by a reception at "The Hills", Mary"s estate at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller compound.
Together Mary and Laurance had children Laura Rockefeller Chasin, born 1936. Marion Rockefeller Weber, born 1938.
Doctor Lucy Rockefeller Waletzky, born 1941. And Laurance "Larry" Spelman Rockefeller Junior., born 1944.
The estate included a mansion, dairy farm, and extensive grounds.
In 1992, Mary and Laurance donated the property to the state and it was made into a National Historic Park. Lady Bird Johnson dedicated the house in a special ceremony. Mary was an ardent supporter of the Young Women"s Christian Association (Young Women’s Christian Association), carrying on the tradition from her mother who was also involved with the organization.
In 1951 she joined the Young Women’s Christian Association National Board, then was vice-chairman and then chairman of the Young Women’s Christian Association"s international division from 1955 to 1973.
From 1958 to 1964, she was chairman of the Young Women’s Christian Association"s World Service Council, followed by being elected to the Young Women’s Christian Association Board of Trustees in 1988. A Rockefeller family spokesman told the New York Times that for several years before Mary"s death she was in "failing health".
On April 17, 1997, she had a fall at her apartment in Manhattan and died later the same day at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center. Mary was 86 years old at the time of her death.
Achievements
Membership
Member council Foundation Child Development. Trustee Spelman College, Atlanta, 1946-1970, honorary trustee, since 1970, member executive committee. Trustee Whitney Museum of America Art, 1965-1989, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, since 1976, United Board For Christian Higher Education in Asia, since 1989, Woodstock History Society, Calvin Coolidge Foundation.
Trustee Young Women’s Christian Association of City New York, 1971-1984, honorary board directors, since 1984. Trustee Foreign Policy Association, 1977-1986, honorary trustee, since 1986. Member distribution committee New York Community Trust, since 1969.
Board directors New York Community Fund, Inc., since 1969. Member administrative board Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, since 1976. Member New York Zoological Society, Horticultural Society New York, Metropolitan Museum Art, Museum Modern Art, Philharmonic Symphony, Park Association New York City, Women's National Republican Club.
Clubs: Women's City (New York City), Cosmopolitan (New York City), Colony (New York City).
Connections
Married Laurance Spelman Rockefeller, August 15, 1934. Children– Laura Rockefeller Chasin, Marion Rockefeller Weber, Lucy Rockefeller Waletzky, Laurance.
Recipient Gold medal National Institute Social Sciences, 1972, Ambassador award Young Women’s Christian Association of the United States of America, 1993.
Recipient Gold medal National Institute Social Sciences, 1972, Ambassador award Young Women’s Christian Association of the United States of America, 1993.