ROOSEVELT, FRANKLIN D. The last will and testament of Roosevelt's private secretary Missy LeHand, signed by him as witness. Typed Document Signed by Marguerite A. LeHand, and by Franklin D. Roosevelt and White House executive clerk Rudolph Forster as witnesses. 3 pages on 3 leaves of White House stationery (9 1/4 x 6 1/4 inches); each with two tidy punch holes in left margin, and 3 lines of annotation to will, apparently in LeHand's hand. With original White House envelope inscribed "The President" in her hand. Washington, 28 August 1935
Marguerite A. "Missy" LeHand (1896-1944) served as Roosevelt's private secretary and de facto chief of staff from 1921 to 1941. This will leaves most of her estate to her siblings and nieces. Her assistant and successor Grace Tully is also mentioned. One clause states "furnishings of my own apartment: The president and Mrs. Roosevelt are first to choose anything they wish. I would like each of them to take something of mine." Another states that "I hope Mrs. Roosevelt, Miss Grace Tully, and Mrs. Larrabee will be kind enough to dispose of my personal effects." LeHand remained at the White House until resigning in 1941 due to health reasons; she predeceased Roosevelt in 1944. With--a certified typescript of a later version of the will dated 25 September 1935, with attached 1944 probate certification (not witnessed by Roosevelt) and a certified abstract of her death certificate dated 24 October 1944. Provenance: Christie's Forbes Collection sale, 15 November 2005, lot 198.
