Brooke Astor 1902 – 2007: Tribute to a Lady

It’s with sadness that I learned today of the passing of philanthropist, author and Vanity Fair contributor Brooke Astor on the 13th of this month.

Mrs. Astor was that rarest of things, a person of good heart who was motivated by kindness towards and consideration for others.

Many of her writings are imbued with sharp observation and gentle humour that, I suspect, was characteristic of the lady herself. Spend a few moments with “Mrs. Astor Regrets”, written for Vanity Fair in July of 1999, to see what I mean.

I am sure that New York society will be much the poorer for her passing, and my thoughts go out to her dearest family and friends.