Guendolen Plestcheeff

Guendolen Plestcheeff (née Carkeek, December 19, 1892 – August 30, 1994) was a preservationist and arts advocate from Seattle, Washington, known variously as "Seattle's Grand, Grand Lady" and "the most elegant woman in Seattle". She was the wife of the Count Theodore Plestcheeff.

Born Guendolen Carkeek to Morgan and Emily Carkeek, one of the area's early pioneer families for whom Carkeek Park is named, she started schooling in Seattle before being sent abroad to boarding and finishing schools in Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Upon her return to Seattle, she met Cav. Paulo Brenna, the Italian consul in Seattle.

By the late 1920s Guendolen Brenna had become one of the most fashionable women in the world and, in 1928, author Bertrand Collins penned a novel, Rome Express, based on her life.

While in Estonia, Guendolen met Count Theodore Plestcheeff, a Russian exile, former imperial courtier, and grandson of Count Paul Stroganov. Plestcheeff shared her interest in arts and antiques.

Guendolen was widowed from Count Plestcheeff in the 1960s.