OLD GUARD SOCIALITE JANE DUDLEY DIES AT 92
Philanthropist dies at age 92 at her home in West Nashville, Tenn.
Jane Dudley, a longtime Palm Beach winter resident and a stalwart of the island’s society and fashion sets, died Nov. 6 at her home in West Nashville.
She was 92 and the widow of Guilford Dudley Jr., a former U.S. ambassador to Denmark and longtime chairman of The Coconuts. At the time of his death in 2002, they had been married for 52 years.
Born Jan. 6, 1925, in Nashville, she was the daughter of William and Nancy ( Joseph) Anderson. Her father was the coach of Vanderbilt University’s track team.
She was a graduate of the Parmer School; Ward Belmont Ladies Seminary — a preparatory high school-junior college hybrid that was quite common in the South; and Vanderbilt University.
After graduating from Vanderbilt she worked for the Nashville Tennessean newspaper. In a later career, she managed corporate accounts for Tiffany & Co. for more than two decades.
After marrying, she traveled the world as an ambassador’s wife, acquiring the hostessing skills that would later make an invitation from Jane Dudley among the most coveted in Palm Beach, Nashville and New York.
Dudley was active in charitable and cultural causes.
In 1962, the Cheekwood Museum and Botanical Garden asked her for fundraising help. She agreed to chair what would become the Swan Ball, enlisting her closest friends to serve as her advisory committee.
Dudley’s daughter, Trevania, would later tell a Nashville publication: “My mother swears that when she invited them to help, she said, ‘I want you to be on my advisory committee. That means if I want your advice, I’ll ask for it.’”
Dudley raised millions of dollars for charity. In Palm Beach, she was a five-time chairwoman of the Cancer Ball, bringing in her old friend Bob Hope to entertain; and was a perennial honorary chairwoman for the International Red Cross Ball. She also served as chairwoman of galas benefiting Blenheim Palace, the World Wildlife Fund (with guest of honor Prince Charles), and for 10 years, as chairwoman of Tiffany’s Feather Ball in New York to benefit Just One Break, a charity for the disabled.
In Nashville, Dudley was a member of the Junior League and a past member of the Belle Meade Country Club. In Palm Beach, she was a member of the Bath and Tennis, Everglades and Seminole Golf clubs; and was also a member of the Southampton Bathing Corporation, the Meadow Club and the River Club in New York; and the White’s Club in London.
She was also a member of the Garden Club of America.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Dwayne Johnson; her daughter, Trevania Dallas Dudley Henderson; her grandson, Guilford Cole Henderson; her sister, Nancy Anderson Landstreet; son-in-law, John Henderson; and an extended family and many friends.
A celebration of her life took place on Friday at Christ Church Cathedral in Nashville. Burial was at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, 1200 Forest Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37205.