Deaths

When you read the obituary page like a sports page, you can't help but notice the paid death notices. These are notices paid for by the deceased's family and or friends. They can be lengthy, and they can also even have a photo. At the rates these go for by the inch, this is a profit center for the newspaper.

When there is one unusually long, and with a photo, I sometimes take a glance and read about the virtues of the deceased. They are always virtues. No hatchet jobs here.

On Friday in the NYT my attention was drawn to the notice for Auchincloss--Catherine Manning Hannon, known to all as KK. The notice is a full 10", accompanied by a stylish photo of the deceased, holding onto her stetson, with her scarf billowing in the breeze. She's probably on horseback.

I glanced just a bit at the wording and caught that the decease passed away at 89. and was married several times...John Hay Whitney was godfather to her only child, a son named John Whitney Kelly.

My memory pulled up that John Hay Whitney was the publisher at one point of The Herald Tribune, and who had a sister Joan Payson, who co-owned the New York Mets from their inception, and whose Greentree Stable sent Stage Door Johnny out to win the 1968 Belmont Stakes on my first day at the races. After reading to that point, I lost interest and moved on.

Saturday's paper has arrived and been ransacked a bit for ideas and information. KK's notice is there again, in all its length, with photo. I know a bit of what these things can cost, so the large expense that was Friday's has now been doubled. And since the services are Monday, I suspect Sunday's paper may carry the notice again. Triple the expense.

Now KK's got my full attention. Consider the information, consider the tributes, consider the virtues of her life.

• was a vivacious, intelligent and strong woman with a unique joie de vivre...
• was a famous beauty from an early age, charming and spirited...
• Born with an artistic eye...
• designed clothes and jewelry for Tiffany's...
• married John Simms "Shipwreck" Kelly...
• had her only son John Whitney Kelly. whose godfather was John Hay Whitney..."
• a second marriage to Philip Larkin, whose great-grandfather Captain Richargd King founded the King Ranch of Kingsville, Texas...
• had a brief marriage to James Overton Winston III after Mr. Larkin passed away at 41...
• her fourth and final marriage was to James Douglas Auchincloss, who passed away in 2000 after 20 years of marriage... 
• KK made beautiful homes...
• at 87 renovated a Norman chateau in Brookville, NY...
• involved in many charities...
• had her portrait done by many artists, including Jamie Wyeth and Andy Warhol...
• she was fun and funny, adored dancing and catching a man's eye...
• as a hostess, she entertained with flair, loved intelligent conversation and sophisticated wit...
• she was interested in imagination, and what sparked it...
• always chic, KK dressed impeccably...
• she will be sorely missed by those who love her...

I never met KK, and I never knew of her, but I miss her too.

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