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Colette (Marie-Louise Smith) Douglas
Colette (Marie-Louise Smith) Douglas died at her home in New York City on September 30, 2023. She was 96 years old and had been in failing health.
Born in 1926, Colette was a graduate of Vassar College. A lover of music and song, Colette performed with — and composed music for — the Black Garters, Vassar’s singing group in the 1940s.
Following college, Colette went to work for the American Embassy in Paris and worked briefly as a fashion model for Harper’s Bazaar. She then raised four children and, well into her seventies, was an avid tennis player, downhill skier, and world traveler.
Colette is survived by three children, Philip Le Breton Douglas of New York (Susan Wald Douglas), Christine Sanders Douglas Tansey (Charles Tansey) of Bristol, RI, and Dr. Carolyn Jory Douglas (Dr. Jonathan Jacobs) of New York; and seven grandchildren. Her husband, Paul Wolff Douglas, predeceased her, as did a son, Paul Harding Douglas.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Colette’s memory to the Vassar College Office of Advancement, 161 College Avenue, Box 14, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.
Burial in Bridgehampton’s Edgewood Cemetery will be private.
Staff Writer on Oct 5, 2023