The sole surviving daughter of the Most Honourable Charles Stewart Henry Marquess of Londonderry, KG, MVO, TD, and Edith, Marchioness of Londonderry, Lady Mairi Bury was married to Viscount Bury who, in turn was heir to the 9th Earl of Albemarle.
Lady Mairi lived at Mount Stewart House and estate, near Newtownards in County Down, throughout her life; Mount Stewart is now a property of the National Trust. Her nephew was the 9th and present Marquess. Lady Mairi's niece was Lady Annabel Goldsmith.
A memorial service was held for Lady Mairi's father, the aforementioned 7th Marquess, at Belfast Cath
edral on the 16th February, 1949; and at Westminster Abbey the following day. Lord Londonderry was buried at the Family's burial ground above the lake at Mount Stewart, Tir-N'an Og.Lady Mairi's interests included philately.
The Londonderry Family once owned one of the grandest homes in London, Londonderry House, in Park Lane, which is now the site of the Hilton Hotel. The title is, incidentally, pronounced "London-dry".
Apparently Lady Mairi passed away yesterday, (Tuesday), but haven't found any news of it on a quick search of Google... End of an era...
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know, Anon. I shall keep my eyes peeled.
ReplyDeleteTim
Sad news indeed, Lady Mairi was chatelaine of Mount Stewart for fifty years and the house will not be the same without her.
ReplyDeleteThe funeral at Mount Stewart will be private but it would be interesting to know if any extended family such as Alastair Londonderry or Lady Annabel or Lady Rayne might attend.
It has been suggested to me for some years that Lady Mairi's tenancy of the house may pass to her younger daughter Lady Rose, who lives most of the year in Venice. A continuing link with the family would be a good thing as so many of these NT houses feel so different if someone is still living there.
I sent a message of sympathy to Zac Goldsmith and to her niece, Lady Annabel - who spent many happy summers at Mt Stewart in childhood.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they'll all be at dear Tir N'an Og.
Tim
Lady Bury was one of the last links to Montgomery Hyde who was her father's secretary or librarian as she preferred.
ReplyDeleteI re-read his book about the Londonderrys a few months ago. Most interesting.
ReplyDeleteTim
A memorial service for Lady Mairi will be held in St. Mark's Newtownards on Sat. 23rd January at noon, it has been announced that all are welcome to attend.
ReplyDeleteDear Lady Sophia,
ReplyDeleteI can still as children remember
riding our horses and going to Wolviston riding school, at the time I didn't believe you were who you said you were, sorry!
It's been along time, but I still remember meeting you, the last I heard from you was that you were going to France, please say hello sometime Sophia.
your friend always,
Nick Love.
(07983-966-417).