Mary Colman

Lady Mary Cecilia Colman (née Bowes-Lyon; 30 January 1932 – 2 January 2021) was an English socialite, philanthropist, and extra lady-in-waiting to Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy.

The daughter of Michael Bowes-Lyon and Elizabeth Margaret Cator, her paternal aunt was Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and she was thus a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon.

Early life Mary Cecilia Bowes-Lyon was born on 30 January 1932 at Gastlings, the Bowes-Lyon family home in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. Her father, Michael Bowes-Lyon (1893–1953), was the fifth son of Claude Bowes-Lyon, 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne and Cecilia Bowes-Lyon, Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne (née Cavendish-Bentinck). Her mother, Elizabeth Margaret Cator (1899–1959), was a great-granddaughter of Charles Yorke, 4th Earl of Hardwicke. She had a twin sister, Patricia Maud, later Lady Patricia Tetley, an older brother, Fergus Michael Claude, later Fergus Bowes-Lyon, 17th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, and a younger brother, Michael Albemarle. Lady Mary was also a godmother to Diana, Princess of Wales.

She attended Hatherop Castle School as a child. In 1949, a coming-out ball was held for her and her twin sister Patricia at Londonderry House, which was attended by their aunt, the Queen, and their cousins, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. In 1998, she began serving as the President of the Eastern Daily Press's "We Care 2000" Appeal, which aims to support unpaid carers for the work they do. She also worked with other charities including the British Red Cross, and served as president of the Norfolk Autistic Society for 26 years, from 1975 until her retirement in 2001. She also ran a dried flower business, called "Flora Dessica".

Lady Mary died at her home in Bixley, Norfolk on 2 January 2021, at the age of 88.