Mary Astor Paul Munn Allez (March 26, 1889 – July 28, 1950) was a Philadelphia socialite who was related to the Astor and Drexel families. During World War II, she helped the American forces in France.
Early life
Mary was born on March 26, 1889, and raised in Radnor, Pennsylvania.[1] She was the daughter of James William Paul Jr. (1851–1908) and Frances Katherine "Fanny" (née Drexel) Paul (1858–1901). Her siblings were Ellen Drexel (née Paul) Mills and Anthony Joseph Drexel Paul. Her father was a banker affiliated with the Drexel interests in Philadelphia and the Morgan interests in New York.[2]
She was presented to society in 1907 and on October 28, 1908, her engagement to Charles Alexander Munn Jr. was announced. Then a student at Harvard, Munn was a son of Charles Alexander Munn and Carrie Louise (née Gurnee) Munn. They were married on June 21, 1909, at St. Martin Episcopal Church in Radnor, Pennsylvania. Many members of society were present, including the Drexel and Roosevelt families.[5] After their marriage, the couple lived at Woodcrest, their residence in Radnor, until they sold it in 1925. After the sale, the couple sailed to France, intending on living there for a decade. However, Mary filed for divorce in 1930, citing abandonment.[6] Before their divorce, they had four children together, three daughters and a son, including:
Pauline Munn (1909–1939), who married Milton Dorland Doyle of New York, in Cap Ferrat, France in 1931.[7] The marriage was a tumultuous one, and after twice filing and then dismissing divorce charges, they divorced in 1938.[8] She died in France the following year.[9]
Charles Alexander Munn (1913–1957),[10] who served with the United States Naval Reserve, rising to the rank of lieutenant in 1941. At that time, he married Louise Stanley, the actress, in New York City.[11][12] He later married Loretta Strauff in 1950.[13]
Frances Drexel Munn (1917–2012), who married George F. Baker (1915–1977),[16] son of banker George Fisher Baker, in New York City in 1938.[17] They divorced in 1958;[18] he later committed suicide in 1977.[16]
She died in Paris on July 28, 1950, and was buried at cemetery in Mortefontaine.[2]
World War II involvement
During World War II, she served the United States Military in a large role. She served as president of the American Aid Society in Paris. During the French resistance movement, she helped contact the American forces under the code name "Pauline."[2] Speaking of her service, Mme. Allez said that her contacts were throughout France, and consisted of people from all walks of life and occupations. She was also in personal contact throughout the war with the American Legation in Berne, Switzerland, and Robert Murphy, the United States Consul.[2]