CECIL, George Henry Vanderbilt (1925-2020)
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George Cecil passed away peacefully at home on Monday, October 19, 2020, surrounded by his six children and overlooking the beautiful fall splendor of the garden where he and Nancy spent so much of their joyous life together. George, the son of the Hon. John Francis Amherst Cecil and Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt, and a grandson of both George W. Vanderbilt and of Lord William Cecil, was born on February 27, 1925, at Biltmore House....
In late 1946, George returned to Biltmore to assume responsibilities of the estate and of Biltmore Dairy. He spent much of his time in the late 1940s and early 1950s living in Biltmore House with his father, John, whose health was failing. Shortly after his father's passing, he married Nancy Owen in 1955....
Planned for the summer of 2020, but postponed due to the pandemic, he had hoped for his entire family, children, and grandchildren, to attend the 500th family anniversary of Burghley House in England, to honor his ancestor Lord Burghley, Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, and to celebrate his 95th birthday. George is survived by his six children and their spouses: Jack and Sarah Cecil of Asheville NC, Edith Cecil and Richard Parker of Washington DC, Catherine and Gordon Taylor of Asheville NC, Margaret and John Sinnott of Asheville NC, Chris and Ruth Cecil of Charlotte NC, and Louisa Cecil Harrison and Bill Shiland of New York, NY, as well as sixteen grandchildren and one great-granddaughter and numerous nieces and nephews.
George Cecil Obituary - Morris Funeral & Cremation Care - Asheville - 2020 (legacy.com)
He was a scion of the Barons Amherst of Hackney being the elder son of Hon John Francis Amherst CECIL (1890 - 1954) (3rd son of Mary Rothes Margaret Cecil OBE, Baroness Amherst of Hackney (2nd in line)) and (m 1924, div 1934) Cornelia Stuyvesant (1900 - 1976) daughter of George W VANDERBILT of the USA
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Nancy, the daughter of Catherine A. and Charles D. Owen, was born on October 14, 1930 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Her family moved to Asheville when she was three years old, beginning her life-long dedication to the people of Western North Carolina.
Nancy is best known for her love of family and generosity to many people in the community. Her volunteer work started at Memorial Mission Hospital in the mid-1940's as a candy striper and continued for many decades culminating in her volunteering thousands of hours to the Mission Hospital Gift Shop which provided significant funding for the Hospital. She was a member of the first class of Asheville Country Day School (now Carolina Day School). Throughout her life she has generously supported the education of many deserving students.
A passionate and knowledgeable horticulturalist, Nancy was happiest working in her gorgeous garden. She was a member of the French Broad River Garden Club for fifty-five years and her guidance was often sought after by friends and family.
Nancy is survived by her loving husband of sixty-one years, George H.V. Cecil, her sister, Jean Owen Izard of Rye, NY, and brother, Charles D. Owen, Jr. of Asheville, NC. She is also survived by her six children: Jack and Sarah Cecil of Asheville, NC, Edith Cecil and Richard Parker of Washington, DC, Catherine and Gordon Taylor of Alexandria, VA, Margaret and John Sinnott of Asheville, NC, Chris and Ruth Cecil of Charlotte, NC, and Louisa Cecil Harrison of New York, NY, as well as sixteen grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews
