Sandra Payson
Sandra Payson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sandra Helen Payson June 26, 1926 Manhasset, New York, U.S. |
| Died | July 15, 2004 (aged 78) New York City, U.S. |
Burial place | Christ Church Cemetery, Manhasset, New York, U.S. |
| Other names | Sandra Payson Meyer, Sandra Payson Weidenfeld |
| Spouse(s) | William Blair Meyer (m. 1948–?; div.) George Weidenfeld, Baron Weidenfeld (m. 1966–1976; div.) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Lorinda Payson (sister) John Hay Whitney (uncle) Helen Hay Whitney (grandmother) William Payne Whitney (grandfather) |
Sandra Helen Payson (June 26, 1926 – July 15, 2004) was an American arts patron, and socialite.[1][2] She founded a philanthropic arts organization called the Beard's Fund, and owned the Manhasset Stable for horse racing. She also went by Sandra Payson Meyer,[3] and Sandra Payson Weidenfeld.[4]
Early life and family
[edit]Sandra Helen Payson was born on June 26, 1926, in Manhasset, New York. She was the second eldest daughter of Joan Whitney andCharles Shipman Payson.[1][5][6] Her mother was from the prominent Whitney family. The family lived in Manhasset, New York, and would summer in Falmouth Foreside in Maine.[7]
She attended the Madeira School in McLean, Virginia, and graduated from the Green Vale School in Glen Head, New York.[6] She was a debutante in 1944.[6]
Career
[edit]Payson owned the Manhasset Stable for horse racing located in Manhasset, New York, and later moved to Delaplane, Virginia.[1]
She founded the Beard's Fund, a philanthropic organization which supported performing arts groups and individuals, as well as provided fellowships.[1]
She was a board member of the Lincoln Center Institute, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Madeira School, and the Research Center at the New York Public Library.[1]
She died of cancer at age 78 on July 15, 2004, in New York City, and she is buried a Christ Church Cemetery in Manhasset.[1]
Personal life
[edit]Her first marriage was in December 1948, to William Blair Meyer at Christ Church in Manhasset, New York.[7][8] She had three children with Meyer, and the marriage ended in divorce.[1][5]
In July 1966, she married British businessman George Weidenfeld, Baron Weidenfeld.[3] Her second marriage ended in divorce in 1976.[1][9]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Saxon, Wolfgang (July 25, 2004). "Sandra Payson, 78, Influential Arts Patron". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
- ↑ "Obituary for Sandra Helen Payson". Ventura County Star. July 26, 2004. p. 59. Retrieved July 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Chic-Chat". Daily News. July 13, 1966. p. 1535. Retrieved July 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Mets Board Picks Head". Green Bay Press-Gazette. December 8, 1975. p. 22. Retrieved July 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Payson, Sandra (c. 1926–2004)". Encyclopedia.com.
- 1 2 3 "Engagement of Sandra Helen Payson to Wm. Blair Meyer 1948". Portland Press Herald. September 26, 1948. p. 8. Retrieved July 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Marriage of William Meyer and Sandra Helen Payson". Portland Press Herald. December 19, 1948. p. 6. Retrieved July 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Sandra Payson to Be Bride of William Meyer". The Portsmouth Herald. December 18, 1948. p. 3. Retrieved July 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Pick, Hella (January 20, 2016). "Lord Weidenfeld obituary". The Guardian.