August 14, 2007 Another Old New Yorker departs… August 15, 2007
Posted by Liisa in Uncategorized.trackback
As of yesterday, there are no more Mrs. Astors–for the first time in 150 years. None, at least, of the New York variety. Brooke Astor died at the age of 105. Kitty Carlisle Hart was on the list of invitees to the funeral, but I guess she won’t be there.
Room206 
The NY Times had a nice obit. It’s nice to see very rich people do such good things with their money and really connect with the people they are helping. These ultrarich socialites are a dying breed – literally. I love all of what they capture/represent re: NYC.
Saw a biography (book) on Kitty Carlisle at a yard sale and thought of you!
I talked to Beth on the phone tonight and she said that you’d posted about another of the ladies having passed on.
When I heard Brooke Astor had died, I immediately remembered an old magazine article that I read about her many years ago. I thought then, about how her generosity would affect the lives of many future generations who would never even know of her.
It’s interesting isn’t it, to think of having to plan the guest list for one’s funeral? I suppose in a way, it was her last social event. She probably didn’t expect to live such a very long life, which makes me wonder, how far in advance the guest list was decided upon, and what changes she would have made.
I was watching an old interview with Merv Griffin the other day, after his passing. Hmmm, that sentence, just doesn’t read right does it? LOL!
Well, anyhow, the interview showed clips of his interviews with Rose Kennedy, and Bobby Kennedy in which they discussed their genuine belief in “giving back”, Brooke Astor felt that same obligation, and now we see that Bill and Melinda Gates have taken his mother’s words to heart and are doing the same. What an amazing feeling that must be, to be able to affect the world in the ways that they have.