Roberte Ponsonby, Countess of Bessborough

Roberte de Neuflize Ponsonby, Countess of Bessborough, GCSt.J, JP (1892 – 1979), was the daughter of the Parisian Baron Jean de Neuflize, CVO.

Marriage

On 25 June 1912, she married Vere Ponsonby, Viscount Duncannon (b. 27 October 1880 — d. 10 March 1956), son of Edward Ponsonby, 8th Earl of Bessborough and Blanche Vere Guest; she held the courtesy title of Viscountess Duncannon. The Viscount inherited the title of Earl of Bessborough upon the death of his father on 1 December 1920, whereupon Roberte became known as the Countess of Bessborough.

Family

She and her husband were predeceased by two of their three sons. Their third son died in 1993. Only their daughter, Moyra Browne (DBE), is still alive (as of June 2009).

Children

• Moyra Blanche Madeleine Ponsonby Browne (DBE) (b. 2 March 1918)
• Frederick Edward Neuflize Ponsonby, 10th Earl of Bessborough (b. 29 March 1913 — d. 5 December 1993)
• Hon. Desmond Neuflize Ponsonby (b. 4 August 1915 — d. 8 April 1925)
• Lt. Hon. George St Lawrence Neuflize Ponsonby (b. 14 August 1931 — d. 16 May 1951)

Honours

She was invested as a Dame Grand Cross, Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem (GC.St.J). She was decorated with the Chevalier, Legion of Honour. She held the office of Justice of the Peace for West Sussex between 1943 and 1956.

References

• Charles Mosley, editor, Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes (Wilmington, Delaware: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd., 2003), volume 1, page 363.