Rockefeller, Blanchette Hooker, 1909-1992

Blanchette Ferry Rockefeller (née Hooker; October 2, 1909 – November 29, 1992) was an American art sponsor, twice president of the Museum of Modern Art, and wife of John D. Rockefeller III and mother of Jay Rockefeller. Blanchette Ferry Hooker was born in Manhattan in New York City on October 2, 1909. She was the daughter of Elon Huntington Hooker, founder of Hooker Chemical Company, and his wife, Blanche Ferry.

She graduated from Miss Chapin's School in 1927, where she was president of the student government. She graduated from Vassar College in 1931 with a B.A. in music. On November 11, 1932, she married John D. Rockefeller III, a scion of the prominent Rockefeller family, at Riverside Church in New York City. They had four children:

John Davison "Jay" Rockefeller IV
Hope Aldrich Rockefeller
Sandra Ferry Rockefeller
Alida Ferry Rockefeller
Blanchette devoted her time to community service, education, and the arts - in particular the collection of Asian and American art. In 1948, Blanchette Rockefeller commissioned the Rockefeller Guest House by architect Philip Johnson. Located at 242 East 52nd Street next to the Turtle Bay Music School, it was one of the first residential buildings in New York City to reflect the influence of the Modern movement. The Rockefellers maintained homes in New York City and at "Fieldwood Farm" in the expansive Rockefeller family estate of Pocantico (see Kykuit in Westchester County, New York.

She died in her home near Briarcliff Manor, New York, of pneumonia, a complication of Alzheimer's disease, on November 29, 1992, at the age of 83.[1] Blanchette was buried at the Rockefeller Family Cemetery, Sleepy Hollow, New York. The Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute (BRNI) at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia is named in her honor.