Last updated: August 7, 2024
Person
Mary French Rockefeller
Billings Family Archives, The Woodstock Foundation, Inc.
Quick Facts
Significance:
philanthropist
Date of Birth:
May 1, 1910
Place of Death:
New York, NY
Date of Death:
April 17, 1997
Place of Burial:
Sleepy Hollow, Mount Pleasant, NY
Cemetery Name:
Rockefeller Family Cemetary
Mary Billings French was born on May 1, 1910 to John French and Mary Montagu Billings French, daughter of Frederick Billings. In 1954, she assumed ownership of the Billings estate in Woodstock, Vermont, including the family mansion and 80 acres of surrounding grounds.
Mary and Laurance Rockefeller were married in 1934, and together had four children. Laurance described their marriage as a “partnership,” one of “parallel careers,” and many of their interests and commitments mirrored the other’s. Both were heavily involved in one another's business and philanthropic endeavors, especially those involving the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and causes relating to natural and historic resources. In her later years, Mary made and hand-delivered floral arrangements for the Center, often accompanied by one of her grandchildren.
As keen supporter of art, cultural, and charitable organizations, Mary Billings French Rockefeller supported a number of major institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York Mission Society, and held positions on the Girl Scout Council of Greater New York. She became associated with Rockefeller philanthropic practices after her marriage to Laurance and served as a trustee for 25 years at the Spelman College of Atlanta, a historically black women's college in Georgia.
Mary was a leading figure in the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), taking after her mother, who was also involved in the organization. In 1951, she joined the YWCA National Board, then was vice-chairman and then chairman of the YWCA's international division from 1955 to 1973. As a member of the international division, Mary advocated for the YWCA’s mission of promoting leadership opportunities for women in newly formed African states. From 1958 to 1964, she was chairman of the YWCA's World Service Council, followed by being elected to the YWCA Board of Trustees in 1988. Mary was described as gracious, elegant, and gentle; she was a devout Protestant and used her faith to guide her philanthropic endeavors. Today the YWCA’s mission is to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
Mary and Laurance were actively involved in the preservation of Mary's family estate and the surrounding community. In 1969, the Rockefellers purchased and revitalized the Woodstock Inn through their company RockResorts. In 1983, they helped to establish the Billings Farm & Museum, and in 1992, they created Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. When speaking to town representatives of their plan to donate the land to the National Park Service, Mary began the session with the following prayer “Thank you, Lord, for the land and our heritage, we pray for guidance on best to preserve it for future generations, knowing that trust in Thee and Thy love will be our strength”. It was noted that her words “of gratitude and for the privilege of living in this beautiful part of the world” helped set a positive and inspiring tone for their meeting.
The couple planned to continue to live in the historic mansion on the property until 1998, when the National Park was slated to open for public visitation. Mary Rockefeller died on April 17, 1997, leaving the park to be opened by Laurance alone the following year.