Mrs. Astor Regrets
Page 38
"The father and mother": Author phone interview with confidential source.
"He was a born salesman": Paul Gilbert interview.
"Charlene had a childhood": Author interview with confidential source.
[>] "What happened in that house": Author interview with confidential source.
"Charlene would come by": Oscar Small interview.
"The grandmother saved Charlene": Author interview with confidential source.
"Charlene was very funny": Author phone interview with Anne Miller Moises, Jan. 2008.
116 "I remember sitting": Author phone interview with Gail Townsend Bailey, Jan. 2008.
[>] "She was very outgoing": Paul Gilbert interview.
"There was no air conditioning": Author interview with Mary Lou Scott in Manhattan, Oct. 9, 2007.
"Charlene and Paul were warmly received": Bob Pyle interview.
"Charlene was more talkative": Author interview with Gunnar Hansen in Northeast Harbor, Maine, July 19, 2007.
[>] "My mother died in Charlene's arms": Author phone interview with Pattie O'Brien, Jan. 17, 2008.
"We converted our living room": Paul Gilbert interview.
"We had them to dinner": Frances Fitzgerald interview.
"Francis is very charming": Paul Gilbert interview.
[>] "It was a renewal": Tony Marshall interview, Oct. 19, 2007.
"I got to work": Author interview with Sandra Graves in Northeast Harbor, Maine, July 19, 2007.
"If you're a minister's wife": Author interview with Dot Renaud in Northeast Harbor, Maine, July 19, 2007.
[>] "I was telling everyone": Author interview with Philip Marshall, multiple interviews, July 28, 2006–June 2008.
"I was very much in love": Author phone interview with Nan Starr, Mar. 2008.
"We were broke": Paul Gilbert interview.
"Charlene's husband": Sandra Graves interview.
[>] "Quick? You moved out": Paul Gilbert interview.
"This winter was": Paul E. Gilbert, Personally Speaking (Maine: Horizon, 1996), p. 72.
"She has said the marriage": Author interview with Sam Peabody at his home, Apr. 17, 2007.
"One of the sad things": Author phone interview with Pamela Walker, Nov. 2007.
"I'd talk to her": Author interview with Alec Marshall, Jan. 2008.
"It was hard": Philip Marshall interview.
[>] "She didn't go to her parish": Author interview with Ashton Hawkins, July 16, 2007.
"Charlene was talking about": Philip Marshall interview.
"Was she a gold digger": Author phone interview with Nan Lincoln, July 2006.
[>] Living in a studio apartment: Vicky Ward, "In Mrs. Astor's Shadow," Vanity Fair, Dec. 2007, p. 240.
"She had a miserable beginning": Author interview with confidential source.
"I was not invited": Alec Marshall interview.
"When Tony and Charlene married": Written description from Suzanne Harbour Kahanovitz, July 2006.
[>] "Brooke was never hostile": Freddy Melhado interview.
"My impression was": Author interview with Henry Kissinger at his office, Sept. 19, 2007
124 "Charlene is one of those people": Author phone interview with Viscount William Astor, Dec. 26, 2007.
"Tony and Charlene would be staying": Author interview with John Dobkin in Manhattan, Sept. 19, 2006.
[>] "Mrs. Astor used to tell": Alicia Johnson interview.
"Brooke assigned them": Ashton Hawkins interview.
"She thought Charlene was taking": Author interview with Liz Smith in Manhattan, Jan. 23, 2007.
"I loved sitting next to": Author interview with Patricia Roberts at her home, Sept. 25, 2007.
"She behaved like a summer person": Gunnar Hansen interview.
[>] "Chris said": John Hart interview.
"My grandson, Philip Marshall": Brooke Astor's will, Jan. 30, 2002, Westchester County Surrogate's Court, file no. 2127/2007.
[>] "We went by": Nancy Pyne interview.
8. THE PAINTING VANISHES
[>] "An exhilarating picture": Brendan Gill, "A Party for Brooke," New Yorker, Apr. 21, 1997.
Hassam, America's best-known: Ilene Susan Fort, "The Flag Paintings of Childe Hassam," Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1988.
[>] "The curator felt": Author interview with Ashton Hawkins at his office, July 16, 2007.
"Every time I went": Author interview with Philippe de Montebello at the Metropolitan Museum, Mar. 12, 2008.
Dating from 1992: Brooke Astor wills, 1992, 1993, 2001.
[>] "It was a picture": Author interview with David Rockefeller at his office, Dec. 18, 2007.
"I didn't even have to ask": Author interview with Annette de la Renta at her home, multiple interviews, Jan. 29, 2008–June 2008.
"'Tony says'": Author phone interview with Viscount William Astor, Dec. 26, 2007.
"At the time the exhibition was arranged": Anthony Marshall Verified Answer and Cross-Petition, New York State Supreme Court, file no. 500095/06, Sept. 19, 2006, p. 35.
[>] "I remember her delight": Author phone interview with Peggy Pierrepont, May 11, 2007.
"Tony Marshall was at a dinner": Author phone interview with Gerald Peters, Aug. 13, 2007.
"It worked out well": Ibid.
"I was touched": Annette de la Renta interview.
[>] "I want to see you": Author interview with Everett Fahy at the Metropolitan Museum, Apr. 12, 2007.
"What can I do for you": Author interview with Vartan Gregorian at his office, Mar. 24, 2007.
"He stressed": Brooke Astor phone logs, Oct. 22, 2002.
"She really didn't know": Author phone interview with Louise Grunwald, Apr. 2007.
"She always looked wonderful": Author phone interview with Oscar de la Renta, Mar. 2008.
"You told Mr. Rockefeller": Brooke Astor phone logs, Oct. 21, 2002.
133 "A cook had fallen down": Author phone interview with Naomi Packard-Koot, Feb. 8, 2007.
"When Mrs. Astor began to lose": Author phone interview with Marciano Amaral, Jan. 2007.
[>] Relatives of that Park Avenue widow: The estate of Elisabeth Von Knapitsch, Surrogate's Court of the State of New York, New York County, file no. 299/00, settlement stipulation, Jan. 27, 2003.
A similar case involving another: The estate of Sam Schurr, Surrogate's Court of the State of New York, New York County, file no. 1121/P2002.
[>] "Young Frank is a charming man": Author interview with Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., at his home, Feb. 1, 2007.
"Frank appeared one day": Author phone interview with Frederic Kass, June 2008. limitations of connections: Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., Robert Kennedy and His Times (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1978), pp. 375–376, 683–685.
[>] was later censured and fined: Edgar J. Driscoll, Jr., and David Abel, "Francis X. Morrissey, at 97, was Judge, Longtime Kennedy Confidant," Boston Globe, Jan. 2, 2008, p. B9.
"I'm one of the people": Author phone interview with Nancy Colhoun, Aug. 2007.
[>] "It's blatantly improper": Author phone interview with Stephen Gillers, Apr. 2008.
stack of character references: Supreme Court of New York, Appellate Division, First Department, Lexis 11762, Nov. 16, 1995.
[>] yearly income of around $150,000: New York State Department Disciplinary Committee, First Judicial Department, Supreme Court Appellate Division, Apr. 9, 1998.
"He was devastated": Author phone interview with Chuck Merten, Nov. 2006.
Morrissey claimed that: New York State Departmental Disciplinary Committee, First Judicial Department, Supreme Court Appellate Division, Apr. 9, 1998, transcript, pp. 83–84.
"my name is the same": Ibid., pp. 113–14.
[>] embroiled in other legal controversies: Serge Kovaleski, "Lawyer Charged with Astor Case Has Been Accused of Other Improprieties," New York Times, Dec. 1, 2007, p. B1; Serge Kovaleski, "Many Clients of Astor Lawyer Left Him Bequests in Their Wills," New York Times, Jan. 4, 2008, p. B1.
"Frank can
read": Author phone interview with Peter J. Kelley, Dec. 26, 2007.
[>] Sam Schurr, an economist: The estate of Sam Schurr, Surrogate's Court of the State of New York, file no. 1121 P2002, affidavit of Donald Novick, Nov. 19, 2003,; affidavit of Stephen Rubin, June 27, 2003.
The Renoirs were actually: Brasswell Galleries, sales inquiry listing.
"There was no one": Author phone interview with Margot Adler, July 2007.
[>] "Dearest, Darling Annette": Brooke Astor to Annette de la Renta, Nov. 2002. Collection of Annette de la Renta.
[>] She scheduled her annual: Brooke Astor's schedule, Jan. 28, 2003; "Mrs. Astor leaves
Holly Hill for Westchester Airport. Virginia Melhado and Bunny du Pont will meet you at the Palm Beach Airport."
142 Four days before: "Dinner in Mrs. Astor's honor at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Marshall." Feb. 1, 2003.
"miles of scenery": Walter Kerr, "Theatre: Electric 'Extremities' and a Muffled Alice,'" New York Times, Jan. 2, 1983.
"I swore I'd never": Jesse McKinley, "He Is His Own Producer and Much More," New York Times, Dec. 17, 2003.
[>] "Charlene's a delightful person": Author phone interview with Mary Rodgers Guettel, Mar. 20, 2007.
Tony also had a real fear: Anthony Marshall to Terry Christensen, Oct. 3, 2001, guardianship files.
[>] "I always saw them bristle": Naomi Packard-Koot interview.
"At Holly Hill, we'd sit in the library": Author phone interview with Sophie Marshall, Apr. 2008.
[>] "I didn't give her important jewelry": Author interview with David Rockefeller at his office, Dec. 18, 2007.
"Would you take": Naomi Packard-Koot interview.
"What can I do for Tony?": Francis X. Morrissey, Jr., to Anthony Marshall, Mar. 4, 2004, guardianship files.
[>] informed Tony by letter: Henry Christensen III to Anthony D. Marshall, Apr. 28, 2003, guardianship files.
"I was very keen": Anthony D. Marshall memorandum, "Meeting with Terry Christensen," Feb. 11, 2004, guardianship files.
"It was really sudden": Naomi Packard-Koot interview.
[>] "I wasn't expecting": Philip Marshall interview.
"It felt to Philip": Author phone interview with Nan Starr, Mar. 2008.
[>] "Dear Tony": New York State Supreme Court, file no. 500095/06, Brooke Astor to her son, Aug. 12, 2003.
[>] "rift between the Marshalls and Mrs. Astor": Christopher Ely notes, guardianship files.
"seemed to want me": Ibid.
"I told her": Ibid.
[>] "John, I'm gaga": Author interview with John Hart in Manhattan, Sept. 26, 2006.
9. THE TREACHEROUS CODICILS
[>] "He used to go visit Brooke": Author interview with Catia Chapin at her home, Mar. 19, 2007.
[>] Vincent Astor had so disliked: Author phone interview with Linda Gillies, Apr. 2008.
"Everything was fine:" Author interview with Alice Perdue in Manhattan, Oct. 3, 2007.
Alicia Johnson ... noticed: Author interview with Alicia Johnson, July 2007.
"I knew there was no way": Author interview with Philip Marshall, multiple interviews, July 28, 2006–June 2008.
154 "I did think it was odd": Alice Perdue interview.
"All the nurses got dressed up": Author interview with Minnette Christie in Manhattan, Jan. 14, 2008.
"Suppose I'm taking her": Author interview with Pearline Noble in Manhattan, Jan. 14, 2008.
"I started in Holly Hill": Author phone interview with Beverly Thomson, Aug. 29, 2007.
[>] "I just wanted to put down": Pearline Noble interview.
"She is dead set": Pearline Noble, nurses' notes, Sept. 25, 2003.
"A very restless night": Minnette Christie, nurses' notes, Sept. 28, 2003.
"Mrs. Astor would tell me:" Minnette Christie interview.
[>] "Mrs. A. curtsied": Pearline Noble, nurses' notes, Sept. 30, 2003.
"This is how you do it": Ibid.
"The first thing that struck me": Author interview with Moises Kaufman at his office, Apr. 5, 2007.
"The theatre is a little like": Robert Hofler, "Delphi Predictions," Variety, Dec. 15, 2003.
[>] the ultimate civilian medal: Jesse McKinley, "He Is His Own Producer, and Much More," New York Times, Dec. 17, 2003.
"periods of confusion and illusions": Minnette Christie, nurses' notes, Dec. 13, 2003.
"Periods of confusion": Minnette Christie, nurses' notes, Dec. 14, 2003.
"Paranoia, undecipherable words": Pearline Noble, nurses' notes, Dec. 17, 2003.
"She was on automatic pilot": Author phone interview with Barbara Goldsmith, Mar. 2008.
[>] "I have enjoyed": First codicil of Brooke Astor's will, Dec. 18, 2003, Westchester County Surrogate's Court, file no. 2127/2007.
"Wanted to know who": Pearline Noble, nurses' notes, Dec. 18, 2003.
"they are putting her away": Minnette Christie, nurses' notes, Dec. 19, 2003.
[>] "Brooke didn't know": Barbara Walters, Manhattan Supreme Court, May 21, 2009.
"I'm sorry, but I don't believe": Vartan Gregorian, The Road to Home (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2003), p. 277.
[>] "She extended her arm": Francis X. Morrissey, Jr., memo, Jan. 19, 2004, guardianship files.
[>] He met with Mrs. Astor: G. Warren Whitaker memo, "Re: Brooke Russell Astor Codicil execution date," Jan. 12, 2004, guardianship files.
[>] "Golden boy & tutor": Pearline Noble, nurses' notes, Jan. 12, 2004, 4 P.M.
"They started to pull": Pearline Noble interview.
"four men are in the house": Minnette Christie, nurses' notes, Jan. 12, 2004.
"It has not been easy": New York State Supreme Court, file no. 500095/06.
[>] But Dr. Pritchett later stated: Court evaluator's report, Dec. 2006, guardianship files.
The experience was so traumatic: Pearline Noble interview.
"On entering our apartment": Anthony D. Marshall, "Subject: Meeting with Terry Christensen," Feb. 11, 2004, guardianship files.
163 "I did not describe": Author phone interview with Terry Christensen, Feb. 2008.
[>] "Presumably you determined": G. Warren Whitaker to Terry Christensen, Feb. 13, 2004, guardianship files.
Worried about what: Anthony D. Marshall, "Memorandum to files. Re: Terry Christensen. Subject: Brooke Astor. Can the situation be resolved without litigation? Even if the opinion that it could be, would it be good judgement to prepare documents with which to proceed if Terry Christensen does not cooperate? Who/ how should Terry Christensen be faced with the issue? (In a friendly manner: by Francis Morrissey? By Warren Whitaker, who has acted as BA's lawyer? By Ken Warner?)"
"I considered publicly": Terry Christensen interview.
Executors' fees: "Brooke Russell Astor Estate Planning," G. Warren Whitaker to Anthony D. Marshall, Mar. 2, 2006, guardianship files.
[>] Two years later: Serge Kovaleski, "Recollections of Witnesses to Astor Wills Are Cloudy," New York Times, Nov. 1, 2006.
"I agree with Charlene": Francis X. Morrissey to Anthony Marshall, Mar. 4, 2004, guardianship files.
"Her son arrive": Pearline Noble, nurses' notes, Mar. 2, 2004.
"me and the driver will protect": Pearline Noble, nurses' notes, Mar. 4, 2004.
[>] "She wouldn't get out of the car": Author interview with Nancy Kissinger at Kissinger Associates, Mar. 13, 2008.
"David Rockefeller told me": Author interview with Henry Kissinger at his office, Sept. 19, 2007. (Note: David Rockefeller does not recall this story.)
[>] "She looked like a deer": Author phone interview with Nan Starr, Mar. 2008.
Charlene later insisted: Vicky Ward, "In Mrs. Astor's Shadow," Vanity Fair, Dec. 2006, p. 243.
"She played possum": Author phone interview with Marciano Amaral, Jan. 2007.
[>] "She was always frail": Author phone interview with Sandra Foschi, Jan. 31, 2008.
"Ever since I was a little girl": Minnette Christie interview.
"To me, just writing this": Philip Ma
rshall interview.
[>] grandmother's many wills: Brooke Astor's wills, 1992–2002, Westchester County Surrogate's Court, file no. 2127/2007.
Philip "acted strangely": Ward, "In Mrs. Astor's Shadow," p. 235.
"A man": Pearline Noble interview.
[>] "Pearline, I'm toast": Annette de la Renta interview.
"Mrs. Astor would stroke her hair": Minnette Christie interview.
"She was like a child": Pearline Noble interview.
"I went to see her": Author interview with Vartan Gregorian at his office, Mar. 24, 2007.
"I would go to have tea": Author interview with Philippe de Montebello at the Metropolitan Museum, Mar. 12, 2008.
[>] "Chris was wonderful": Author interview with David Rockefeller at his office, Dec. 18, 2007.
"After Chris was fired": Author phone interview with Barbara Goldsmith, Mar. 2008.
"During the past two years": Anthony D. Marshall letter of recommendation for Christopher Ely.
Mrs. Astor had left Ely: Brooke Astor will, Jan. 30, 2002, Westchester County Surrogate's Court, file no. 2127/2007.
"I thought it was a little late": Philip Marshall interview.
172 "We showed her a picture": Minnette Christie interview.
10. "I DIDN'T KNOW IT WOULD BE ARMAGEDDON"
[>] "I remember going": Author interview with Annette de la Renta at her home, multiple interviews, Jan. 29, 2007–July 2008.
"Brooke was sitting there": Author phone interview with Bob Silvers, Mar. 2007.
"I started saying": Author interview with John Richardson at his home, June 5, 2007.
"She didn't recognize me": Author phone interview with Viscount William Astor, July 2006.
[>] "We had a perfectly cordial:" Author interview with David Rockefeller at his office, Dec. 18, 2007.
"We were upset": Annette de la Renta interview.
[>] "What I said": David Rockefeller interview.
"If I had not heard": Author interview with Philip Marshall, multiple interviews, July 28, 2006–June 2008.
"We were told": Author phone interview with Beverly Thomson, Aug. 29, 2007.
"She did not leave": Author interview with Pearline Noble in Manhattan, Apr. 10, 2008.
[>] "When I die": Ibid.
Brooke Astor's mortality: Francis Morrissey/G. Warren Whitaker letter to files, Aug. 23, 2005, guardianship files.
"I was a driver": Author phone interview with Marciano Amaral, Jan. 2007.