Winifred Rockefeller Emeny
Encyclopedia
Winifred Rockefeller was a daughter of Percy Avery Rockefeller
, one of the richest financiers and industrialists of his time. Percy was the son of William Rockefeller
, who made a fortune from the Standard Oil Co.
Winifred's maternal grandfather, James Jewett Stillman, was an immensely wealthy banker and President of the National City Bank.
Winifred was sent to Westover School
and was a member of the Junior League
. She was introduced to New York
high society on 15 December 1923, at a Colony Club
reception held by Mrs. William Goodsell Rockefeller
. She was accompanied by her close relative, Miss Elizabeth Stillman, daughter of Charles Chauncey Stillman. Winifred was never highly active in the social circles she was encouraged into, but she did not completely shy away from the limelight.
She was married at St. Bartholomew's Church on 15 December 1928 to Brooks Emeny. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Robert Norwood, and was attended by John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
and Ezra Parmalee Prentice. Her sister, Faith, who had only recently made her appearance in high society, was maid of honour. Her sister, Gladys and Mary A. Bowman of Cleveland, Ohio were bridesmaids.
On 15 March 1951, Winifred committed suicide at her home in Deer Park, Greenwich, Connecticut
. She had suffocated herself by leaving two cars running in the garage. As well as taking her own life, she took the lives of her two young daughters, who were found dead in one of the cars. The scene was discovered by a governess
returning from New York
. Winifred had been sent to a sanatorium in July 1950 for a nervous disorder.
Percy Avery Rockefeller
Percy Avery Rockefeller was founder and vice president of Owenoke Corporation. He was a board director of Air Reduction Company, American International Corporation, Atlantic Fruit Company, Anaconda Copper Mining Company, Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Bowman Biltmore Hotels Company, Cuba Company,...
, one of the richest financiers and industrialists of his time. Percy was the son of William Rockefeller
William Rockefeller
William Avery Rockefeller, Jr. , American financier, was a co-founder with his older brother John D. Rockefeller of the prominent United States Rockefeller family. He was the son of William Avery Rockefeller, Sr. and Eliza Rockefeller.-Youth, education:Rockefeller was born in Richford, New York,...
, who made a fortune from the Standard Oil Co.
Standard Oil
Standard Oil was a predominant American integrated oil producing, transporting, refining, and marketing company. Established in 1870 as a corporation in Ohio, it was the largest oil refiner in the world and operated as a major company trust and was one of the world's first and largest multinational...
Winifred's maternal grandfather, James Jewett Stillman, was an immensely wealthy banker and President of the National City Bank.
Winifred was sent to Westover School
Westover School
The Westover School, often referred to simply as "Westover," is an independent college-preparatory day and boarding school for girls. Located in Middlebury, Connecticut, USA, the school offers grades 9-12...
and was a member of the Junior League
Junior League
The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. is a non-profit organization of 292 Junior Leagues in Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom and the United States. Junior Leagues are educational and charitable women's organizations aimed at improving their communities through volunteerism and...
. She was introduced to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
high society on 15 December 1923, at a Colony Club
Colony Club
The Colony Club is a private social club in New York City. Founded in 1903 by Florence Jaffray Harriman, wife of J. Borden Harriman, and modeled on similar clubs for men, it was the first social club established in New York City by and for women, although today male members are admitted.- History...
reception held by Mrs. William Goodsell Rockefeller
William Goodsell Rockefeller
William Goodsell Rockefeller was a director of the Consolidated Textile Company.-Biography:He was the third child of Standard Oil co-founder William Rockefeller and his wife, Almira Geraldine Goodsell...
. She was accompanied by her close relative, Miss Elizabeth Stillman, daughter of Charles Chauncey Stillman. Winifred was never highly active in the social circles she was encouraged into, but she did not completely shy away from the limelight.
She was married at St. Bartholomew's Church on 15 December 1928 to Brooks Emeny. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Robert Norwood, and was attended by John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
John Davison Rockefeller, Jr. was a major philanthropist and a pivotal member of the prominent Rockefeller family. He was the sole son among the five children of businessman and Standard Oil industrialist John D. Rockefeller and the father of the five famous Rockefeller brothers...
and Ezra Parmalee Prentice. Her sister, Faith, who had only recently made her appearance in high society, was maid of honour. Her sister, Gladys and Mary A. Bowman of Cleveland, Ohio were bridesmaids.
On 15 March 1951, Winifred committed suicide at her home in Deer Park, Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 61,171. It is home to many hedge funds and other financial service companies. Greenwich is the southernmost and westernmost municipality in Connecticut and is 38+ minutes ...
. She had suffocated herself by leaving two cars running in the garage. As well as taking her own life, she took the lives of her two young daughters, who were found dead in one of the cars. The scene was discovered by a governess
Governess
A governess is a girl or woman employed to teach and train children in a private household. In contrast to a nanny or a babysitter, she concentrates on teaching children, not on meeting their physical needs...
returning from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Winifred had been sent to a sanatorium in July 1950 for a nervous disorder.