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Tuesday, November 16, 2021

The Countess of Avon 1920-2021

 The Countess of Avon, widow of the Prime Minsiter Anthony Eden, and niece of Sir Winston Churchill, died 15 November, 2021, aged 101.

[Anne] Clarissa Spencer Churchill, was born 28 June, 1920, a scion of the Dukes of Marlborough, the only daughter of Major John Strange Spencer Churchill [1880-1947], and his wife the former Lady Gwendoline Theresa Maria Bertie [1885-1941], scion of the Earls of Lindsey and Abingdon.

Clarissa was a granddaughter of Lord Randolph Spencer Churchill [1849-1895], and his wife Jennie Jerome [1854-1921], and was a niece of the Rt Hon Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, DL, FRS [1874-1965], Prime Minister 1940-45, and 1951-55.

She married 14 Augusty, 1952, as his second wife, the Rt Hon [Robert] Anthony Eden, MP, MC, PC [born 12 June, 1897], son of Sir William Eden, 5th/7th Baronet [1849-1915], and his wife the former Sybil Frances Grey [died 1945], scion of the Earls Grey. 

Her husband was appointed a Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1954, and served as Prime Minister from April, 1955 to January, 1957. He was raised to the peerage, in 1961, as Viscount Eden, of Royal Leamington Spa, and Earl of Avon. He died 14 January, 1977, and was succeeded as 2nd Earl of Avon by his surviving son from his first marriage to Beatrice Beckett [1905-57]. The Earldom became extincy on the 2nd Earl's death, 17 Aug, 1985.

The Countess of Avon was childless.

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