Saratoga socialite, philanthropist Marylou Whitney dies at 93

[Dennis Donovan]

https://poststar.com/news/local/saratoga-springs-socialite-marylou-whitney-dies-at/article_9f0f3d48-7407-51c7-a07c-c174c67a4730.html



SARATOGA SPRINGS — Marylou Whitney, known as the "Queen of Saratoga," died Friday at the age of 93, the New York Racing Association announced.

She is well-known around Saratoga as a horse owner and philanthropist. She also founded the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga and was influential in the creation of Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

An announcement was made Friday at Saratoga Race Course and a moment of silence was held.

Whitney was named as a 2019 Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee, joining 15 others.

For years, Whitney and her husband, John Hendrickson, have organized almost nightly free events during the Saratoga meet for backstretch workers. They include international dinners, movies, make-your-own sundaes and trips such as a cruise on the Minne-Ha-Ha.

Her philanthropy also focused on the horses. She donated $100,000 to the development of facility in Kentucky to care for thoroughbred horses in their twilight years, saving them from the prospect of neglect, abuse or the slaughterhouse. Her donation helped start the Maker's Mark Secretariat Center.

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Cross gently, Marylou.

[Dennis Donovan]

1. Interesting side fact. She was the sister-in-law of Flora Payne Whitney

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flora_Payne_Whitney



Flora Payne Whitney, also known as Flora Whitney Miller (July 27, 1897 – July 18, 1986), was an American artist and socialite,[1] art collector, and patron of the arts.

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Personal life
On August 4, 1916, Whitney made her debut at "The Reefs," the Payne-Whitney "cottage" in Newport, Rhode Island. She was escorted by Quentin Roosevelt, son of President Theodore Roosevelt, although her father did not approve of young Roosevelt. After the United States entered World War I, Quentin enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Service, and became engaged to Whitney before leaving for duty overseas. The glamorous young couple never married, since Quentin was killed in aerial combat in July, 1918. Love letters exchanged between Flora and Quentin while he was at the front were featured in Edward Renehan's book about TR's sons, The Lion's Pride.

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[secondwind]

2. I lived in that area for several years. She was a fixture

there on Opening Day. Her husband was decades younger than she was. But, he kept her happy.

[monmouth4]

3. I worked for an attorney in Palm Beach and while she was in town she would come up to the

office to check out certain "family" matters. Must admit I thought she was a royal PIA, would talk over people if she was bored with them, etc. Those nasty little traits of the rich.

[Rhiannon12866]

4. I used to see her at the track, back in the day, when I went there with my father

My Dad use to "borrow" the mayor's box on occasion, the most desirable seating area, populated by owners and celebrities. The boxes couldn't be had for love or money, people had to inherit them. But her box was the most desirable of all, right in front near the finish line and I couldn't help noticing that hers had special, more comfortable chairs.

[Raine]

5. R-I-P Marylou