ELSIE C. WOODWARD, PHILANTHROPIST, DIES AT 98
By M. A. FARBER
Published: July 14, 1981
Elsie Cryder Woodward, widow of William Woodward and one of the last grandes dames of New York society, died yesterday in her sleep in her apartment at the Waldorf Towers. She was 98 years old.
A slender, erect woman who was devoted to the theater and headed scores of charity fund drives, Mrs. Woodward was long associated with her husband in the world of thoroughbred horse racing.
Mr. Woodward, who was chairman of the Central-Hanover Bank of New York until his death in 1953, owned Belair Stud, a leading racing stable that produced two triple crown winners, Gallant Fox and Omaha.
For more than 20 years, William and Elsie Woodward entertained the international set at their town house at 9 East 86th Street. Mrs. Woodward, who spoke impeccably at a rapid clip, dressed conservatively and exuded a patrician manner, was regarded as a perfect hostess and an indefatigable worker on behalf of hospitals and other charities. Educated in France
''She's ageless, and younger than most people I know,'' a friend recalled more than a decade ago. William Woodward, a politically active grandson, said it was only in the last several years that Mrs. Woodward had been largely confined to her apartment at the Waldorf, where she had lived since 1956.
Elsie Ogden Cryder was born in New York on Dec. 2, 1882. Her father was Duncan Cryder, a tea importer who, according to Mrs. Woodward, lost a fortune when ''his partner sneaked off with the money.'' As a young girl, Miss Cryder lived with her family in Europe in what she later described as a ''life of leisure.'' She and her two sisters were educated mainly by governesses in France.
The Cryders returned to New York around the turn of the century and, in 1904, in one of the major society weddings of the year, Elsie Cryder married William Woodward, a young, Harvard-educated vice president of the Hanover National Bank. He had inherited large holdings in the bank, a forerunner of the Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company, from his uncle, James T. Woodward.
During World War I, Mrs. Woodward helped servicemen at Fort Adams in Newport, R.I., to learn French, in anticipation of their arrival abroad. She later provided long-term support for the Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Club in New York.
In 1955, the Woodwards' 35-year old son, William Jr., was shot to death by his wife, Ann, in a bedroom doorway of their estate in Oyster Bay, L.I. A grand jury found that no crime had been committed. Ann Woodward had told authorities that she thought she was firing at a prowler. Donated a Museum Wing
Mrs. Woodward, who took part in many drives conducted by the United Hospital Fund, was a major benefactor of New York Hospital. In 1956, she endowed a nursery school in memory of her son for the children of the hospital's staff physicians and residents. Mrs. Woodward also donated the Woodward Wing of the Baltimore Museum of Art, which housed a collection of portraits of thoroughbred horses by English artists.
In 1966, Mrs. Woodward remarked that she could no longer give much time to benefits, ''just my name and money.'' However, she continued to travel abroad several times a year.
Often seen on opening nights on Broadway, Mrs. Woodward was an avid theatergoer who bemoaned what she considered the demise of drawingroom comedy. She was fond of reading histories and biographies, particularly of English figures.
Mrs. Woodward leaves three daughters, Elizabeth W. Cushing of New York, Sarah W. Sewall of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Ethel W. deCroisset of Paris; nine grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 10:30 A.M. at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 109 East 50th Street at Park Avenue.
By M. A. FARBER
Published: July 14, 1981
Elsie Cryder Woodward, widow of William Woodward and one of the last grandes dames of New York society, died yesterday in her sleep in her apartment at the Waldorf Towers. She was 98 years old.
A slender, erect woman who was devoted to the theater and headed scores of charity fund drives, Mrs. Woodward was long associated with her husband in the world of thoroughbred horse racing.
Mr. Woodward, who was chairman of the Central-Hanover Bank of New York until his death in 1953, owned Belair Stud, a leading racing stable that produced two triple crown winners, Gallant Fox and Omaha.
For more than 20 years, William and Elsie Woodward entertained the international set at their town house at 9 East 86th Street. Mrs. Woodward, who spoke impeccably at a rapid clip, dressed conservatively and exuded a patrician manner, was regarded as a perfect hostess and an indefatigable worker on behalf of hospitals and other charities. Educated in France
''She's ageless, and younger than most people I know,'' a friend recalled more than a decade ago. William Woodward, a politically active grandson, said it was only in the last several years that Mrs. Woodward had been largely confined to her apartment at the Waldorf, where she had lived since 1956.
Elsie Ogden Cryder was born in New York on Dec. 2, 1882. Her father was Duncan Cryder, a tea importer who, according to Mrs. Woodward, lost a fortune when ''his partner sneaked off with the money.'' As a young girl, Miss Cryder lived with her family in Europe in what she later described as a ''life of leisure.'' She and her two sisters were educated mainly by governesses in France.
The Cryders returned to New York around the turn of the century and, in 1904, in one of the major society weddings of the year, Elsie Cryder married William Woodward, a young, Harvard-educated vice president of the Hanover National Bank. He had inherited large holdings in the bank, a forerunner of the Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company, from his uncle, James T. Woodward.
During World War I, Mrs. Woodward helped servicemen at Fort Adams in Newport, R.I., to learn French, in anticipation of their arrival abroad. She later provided long-term support for the Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Club in New York.
In 1955, the Woodwards' 35-year old son, William Jr., was shot to death by his wife, Ann, in a bedroom doorway of their estate in Oyster Bay, L.I. A grand jury found that no crime had been committed. Ann Woodward had told authorities that she thought she was firing at a prowler. Donated a Museum Wing
Mrs. Woodward, who took part in many drives conducted by the United Hospital Fund, was a major benefactor of New York Hospital. In 1956, she endowed a nursery school in memory of her son for the children of the hospital's staff physicians and residents. Mrs. Woodward also donated the Woodward Wing of the Baltimore Museum of Art, which housed a collection of portraits of thoroughbred horses by English artists.
In 1966, Mrs. Woodward remarked that she could no longer give much time to benefits, ''just my name and money.'' However, she continued to travel abroad several times a year.
Often seen on opening nights on Broadway, Mrs. Woodward was an avid theatergoer who bemoaned what she considered the demise of drawingroom comedy. She was fond of reading histories and biographies, particularly of English figures.
Mrs. Woodward leaves three daughters, Elizabeth W. Cushing of New York, Sarah W. Sewall of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Ethel W. deCroisset of Paris; nine grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 10:30 A.M. at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 109 East 50th Street at Park Avenue.
ELSIE C. WOODWARD, PHILANTHROPIST, DIES AT 98
By M. A. FARBER
Published: July 14, 1981
Elsie Cryder Woodward, widow of William Woodward and one of the last grandes dames of New York society, died yesterday in her sleep in her apartment at the Waldorf Towers. She was 98 years old.
A slender, erect woman who was devoted to the theater and headed scores of charity fund drives, Mrs. Woodward was long associated with her husband in the world of thoroughbred horse racing.
Mr. Woodward, who was chairman of the Central-Hanover Bank of New York until his death in 1953, owned Belair Stud, a leading racing stable that produced two triple crown winners, Gallant Fox and Omaha.
For more than 20 years, William and Elsie Woodward entertained the international set at their town house at 9 East 86th Street. Mrs. Woodward, who spoke impeccably at a rapid clip, dressed conservatively and exuded a patrician manner, was regarded as a perfect hostess and an indefatigable worker on behalf of hospitals and other charities. Educated in France
''She's ageless, and younger than most people I know,'' a friend recalled more than a decade ago. William Woodward, a politically active grandson, said it was only in the last several years that Mrs. Woodward had been largely confined to her apartment at the Waldorf, where she had lived since 1956.
Elsie Ogden Cryder was born in New York on Dec. 2, 1882. Her father was Duncan Cryder, a tea importer who, according to Mrs. Woodward, lost a fortune when ''his partner sneaked off with the money.'' As a young girl, Miss Cryder lived with her family in Europe in what she later described as a ''life of leisure.'' She and her two sisters were educated mainly by governesses in France.
The Cryders returned to New York around the turn of the century and, in 1904, in one of the major society weddings of the year, Elsie Cryder married William Woodward, a young, Harvard-educated vice president of the Hanover National Bank. He had inherited large holdings in the bank, a forerunner of the Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company, from his uncle, James T. Woodward.
During World War I, Mrs. Woodward helped servicemen at Fort Adams in Newport, R.I., to learn French, in anticipation of their arrival abroad. She later provided long-term support for the Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Club in New York.
In 1955, the Woodwards' 35-year old son, William Jr., was shot to death by his wife, Ann, in a bedroom doorway of their estate in Oyster Bay, L.I. A grand jury found that no crime had been committed. Ann Woodward had told authorities that she thought she was firing at a prowler. Donated a Museum Wing
Mrs. Woodward, who took part in many drives conducted by the United Hospital Fund, was a major benefactor of New York Hospital. In 1956, she endowed a nursery school in memory of her son for the children of the hospital's staff physicians and residents. Mrs. Woodward also donated the Woodward Wing of the Baltimore Museum of Art, which housed a collection of portraits of thoroughbred horses by English artists.
In 1966, Mrs. Woodward remarked that she could no longer give much time to benefits, ''just my name and money.'' However, she continued to travel abroad several times a year.
Often seen on opening nights on Broadway, Mrs. Woodward was an avid theatergoer who bemoaned what she considered the demise of drawingroom comedy. She was fond of reading histories and biographies, particularly of English figures.
Mrs. Woodward leaves three daughters, Elizabeth W. Cushing of New York, Sarah W. Sewall of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Ethel W. deCroisset of Paris; nine grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 10:30 A.M. at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 109 East 50th Street at Park Avenue.
By M. A. FARBER
Published: July 14, 1981
Elsie Cryder Woodward, widow of William Woodward and one of the last grandes dames of New York society, died yesterday in her sleep in her apartment at the Waldorf Towers. She was 98 years old.
A slender, erect woman who was devoted to the theater and headed scores of charity fund drives, Mrs. Woodward was long associated with her husband in the world of thoroughbred horse racing.
Mr. Woodward, who was chairman of the Central-Hanover Bank of New York until his death in 1953, owned Belair Stud, a leading racing stable that produced two triple crown winners, Gallant Fox and Omaha.
For more than 20 years, William and Elsie Woodward entertained the international set at their town house at 9 East 86th Street. Mrs. Woodward, who spoke impeccably at a rapid clip, dressed conservatively and exuded a patrician manner, was regarded as a perfect hostess and an indefatigable worker on behalf of hospitals and other charities. Educated in France
''She's ageless, and younger than most people I know,'' a friend recalled more than a decade ago. William Woodward, a politically active grandson, said it was only in the last several years that Mrs. Woodward had been largely confined to her apartment at the Waldorf, where she had lived since 1956.
Elsie Ogden Cryder was born in New York on Dec. 2, 1882. Her father was Duncan Cryder, a tea importer who, according to Mrs. Woodward, lost a fortune when ''his partner sneaked off with the money.'' As a young girl, Miss Cryder lived with her family in Europe in what she later described as a ''life of leisure.'' She and her two sisters were educated mainly by governesses in France.
The Cryders returned to New York around the turn of the century and, in 1904, in one of the major society weddings of the year, Elsie Cryder married William Woodward, a young, Harvard-educated vice president of the Hanover National Bank. He had inherited large holdings in the bank, a forerunner of the Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company, from his uncle, James T. Woodward.
During World War I, Mrs. Woodward helped servicemen at Fort Adams in Newport, R.I., to learn French, in anticipation of their arrival abroad. She later provided long-term support for the Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Club in New York.
In 1955, the Woodwards' 35-year old son, William Jr., was shot to death by his wife, Ann, in a bedroom doorway of their estate in Oyster Bay, L.I. A grand jury found that no crime had been committed. Ann Woodward had told authorities that she thought she was firing at a prowler. Donated a Museum Wing
Mrs. Woodward, who took part in many drives conducted by the United Hospital Fund, was a major benefactor of New York Hospital. In 1956, she endowed a nursery school in memory of her son for the children of the hospital's staff physicians and residents. Mrs. Woodward also donated the Woodward Wing of the Baltimore Museum of Art, which housed a collection of portraits of thoroughbred horses by English artists.
In 1966, Mrs. Woodward remarked that she could no longer give much time to benefits, ''just my name and money.'' However, she continued to travel abroad several times a year.
Often seen on opening nights on Broadway, Mrs. Woodward was an avid theatergoer who bemoaned what she considered the demise of drawingroom comedy. She was fond of reading histories and biographies, particularly of English figures.
Mrs. Woodward leaves three daughters, Elizabeth W. Cushing of New York, Sarah W. Sewall of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Ethel W. deCroisset of Paris; nine grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 10:30 A.M. at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 109 East 50th Street at Park Avenue.
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