| Frances Ellen Work | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 27, 1857 New York City |
| Died | January 26, 1947 (aged 89) New York City |
| Spouse | James Burke Roche, 3rd Baron Fermoy (m. 1880–1891) Aurel de Batonyi (m. 1905–1907) |
| Children | Hon. Eileen Roche Hon. Cynthia Burke Roche Edmund Maurice Burke Roche, 4th Baron Fermoy Hon. Francis George Burke |
| Parents | Franklin H. Work Ellen Wood |
| Relatives | Diana, Princess of Wales Prince William, Duke of Cambridge Oliver Platt |
Frances Ellen Work (October 27, 1857 – January 26, 1947) was an American heiress and socialite. She was a great-grandmother of Diana, Princess of Wales, and her great-great-grandchildren include The Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, and the American actor Oliver Platt.
Born in New York City, she was a daughter of Franklin H. Work "Frank" (1819–1911), a well-known stockbroker and protégé of Cornelius Vanderbilt, and his wife, Ellen Wood (1831–1877).[1]
On September 22, 1880, at Christ Church, New York City, Frances Work married the Hon. James Boothby Burke Roche, who would later become the 3rd Baron Fermoy. They had four children: two daughters Cynthia Roche and Eileen, and twin sons Francis and Edmund. Edmund later became the 4th Baron Fermoy, and was the grandfather of Diana, Princess of Wales. Frances divorced Roche for desertion in 1891, before he had succeeded to the barony. Her lawyer was Thomas F. Bayard, former United States Secretary of State.[2]
On August 4, 1905, the Hon. Mrs. Burke Roche married Aurel de Batonyi, a Hungarian-born riding instructor and society horseman. When he had immigrated to the United States on the Majestic in 1891, Batonyi claimed he was a count.[3] It was also suggested that his real name was Arthur Cohn.[4] Frances sued de Batonyi for divorce two years after their marriage, allegedly because her father threatened to disinherit her if she continued to live with her husband.[4]
She was a prominent figure in the New York City and Newport, Rhode Island, social sets, and was friends with Mrs Reginald Vanderbilt. Her sister, Lucy Bond Work married Peter Cooper Hewitt, a son of New York City Mayor Abram Stevens Hewitt.
She died in the city of her birth at the age of 89.[1]