Mary Jane McCaffree Monroe

Mrs. Monroe was born and raised in New York City, NY, and worked in major secretarial positions at the 1939-40 World’s Fair, Rustless Iron and Steel Corporation in Baltimore, and Schenley Distillers. In 1952, upon his election President Eisenhower invited Mary Jane McCaffree to become the White House Social Secretary and Mrs. Eisenhower’s personal and press secretary. She served in those capacities throughout the White House years of 1953-1961. She later headed the Women’s Division of the 1963-1965 New York World’s Fair. From 1971 until 1975, Mrs. McCaffree served as a protocol specialist in the Office of the Chief of Protocol in the Department of State.

Using her wealth of experience in U.S. and international protocol, Mary Jane McCaffree co-authored the book “Protocol: The Complete Handbook of Diplomatic, Office and Social Usage” in 1977. That book is still used as a primary authoritative guide for diplomatic etiquette and protocol by U.S. and foreign governments, and by state and local government and non-government organizations in this country.

She was a resident of Montgomery County, MD, and Washington, DC, before moving to Palm Beach, FL in 1988 where she became actively involved in establishing the Palm Beach Club Symposium series.

Mary Jane McCaffree Monroe’s first husband, Floyd Emery McCaffree, Ph.D., predeceased her in 1963, as did her second husband, Harry A. Monroe, Jr., in 2004. Survivors include her nephews Burnham C. McCaffree Jr. of Alexandria, VA, and Robert Fleming of Putnam Valley, NY.

Interment will be at St. Gabriel’s Cemetery, Potomac, MD.