Going Back To Raymere

I found some interesting information that I found in the book “Around Deal Lake” by Marie A. Sylvester (Arcadia 1998). There is a picture of Raymere the caption says: “This is Raymere, the stately French-influenced mansion of General Motors founder William C. Durant.” It had fourteen floors and six bathrooms.  The home was near the Jersey shore and was one of the most valuable in Deal Beach. Huge amounts of money was spent on decorating and the parties were the most extravagant in the community.  Vicky and Ward visited often even though Vicky, Catherine and Durrants mother never got along well. When my father came to Raymere, he found opulence in every direction. Huge dinner parties were the norm. Vicky was very athletic and played golf and swam at Raymere. William and Catherine belonged to thirteen golf clubs. The pools were large and surrounded by beautiful flowers, statues and fountains. Durant bought the home in 1920 and remained there till 1940. As I mentioned before it was torn down in 1951. It’s amazing that it took seven weeks to tear down the home.

Vicky wasn’t famous but. ……

Everyone is famous in some way.  I wrote some of the accomplishments of her flying days. I will tell you more but it’s her spirit that makes her so special. She broke the rules that were expected for women. That’s the kind of women that thrills me. Vicky followed her passion now it’s my turn.

I have divided my story of Vicky into three parts. I only know her early years through her paraphernalia. If I repeat some of this information, I’m sorry but I just feel trilled with her accomplishments.

1. Vicky was a graduate of Roosevelt Field Flying School in Mineola, Long Island New York. This was the same field as Lindbergh, and Amelia. Most of the famous flights in the 30’s were out of Roosevelt Field.  It was the most modern field at the time.  Mineola became known as the “Hot Bed” of Aviation during the Golden Age of Aviation” during the 30’s.   Now I want to continue to tell you more about Vicky’s accomplishments.

2 Vicky participated in the Miami American Air Race.

3. She owned a flying school.

4. She also had a flying school in Juneau, Alaska.

5. She vied with 4 men for a race from Honolulu to San Francisco in 1931.

6. She was an honorary member of the New York Ariel Police.

7. Vicky was a member of the Air Pilots Association.

8. She drove a midget car New York to Cleveland.

9. Vicky was a member of the Aviation Country Club at Palwaukee Airport.

10. Now I go in the way back machine to 1925 when Vicky married a wealthy man named Ward Lederer. This was the beginning of life in the fast lane for Vicky.

Roosevelt field the most unique flying Field

 

Vicky flew out of Roosevelt Field…the most famous flying field in the country. She made friends with Bert Acosta, a well-known pilot in the 20’s and 30’s. This field was the hotbed of aviation. Did this make Vicky famous…no. but she did have some accomplishments that I will tell you about in future posts.

Today I would like to tell you about Roosevelt Field.  Back in the day it was a flurry of activity. It was located in Mineola, New York.  You could see famous fliers there every weekend. They produced airshows and offered rides to anyone adventurous to go up in the air. They hoped these people would also take flying lessons. Teachers were very reluctant to teach women. Some women had to go to Europe to learn.  By the time Vicky took her lessons I guess it was allowed. According to Vicky’s memorabilia she passed her flying tests with scores of 85 and 90. The American public soon learned that some women could fly as good as men. Back to the story of Roosevelt Field.  Races were held often at Roosevelt Field.  I don’t know if Vicky participated in them but I know that the field was always crowded with fliers and people out for some excitement.  The audience could view acrobatic stunts scary and unique. It had balloon bursting contests, plane fights and even men jumping out of planes as everyone gasped in fear for the flier. Roosevelt Field was the only civilian airport that had all this activity. The field had its own newspaper, radio station, and hotel. I know that Vicky stayed at the Roosevelt Field Hotel. It had single and double rooms. and the second floor was used as a ballroom and banquet hall. In good weather I can see Vicky drinking and eating on the terrace looking over the field. It was quite a place. Vicky was still living the high life she had with Ward and the Durant’s. This life was far from the sadness of the Depression.  

Vicky Sitting On The Steps Of Raymere

Vicky is sitting on the steps of Raymere with an unknown man on the left and is next to her. Raymere was the mansion of William and Catherine Durant. William or Billy, was the founder of General Motors.

Her husband, Ward is wearing the latest hair style with hair parted right down the middle. His suit looks in the style of the times. He looks very happy and is showing a wide smile. Vicky looks squished between the two men because she was a tiny lady 5’1 and 105 pounds.

The man on the left with blonde hair looks just as happy as Ward and Vicky. 1 don’t know his name but he sure looks like he is having a good time. The man in the picture must have known Vicky and Ward well from the way he is sitting so close to Vicky. He seems like a fun loving man. Later life changed for Vicky and her smile disappeared when Ward walked out of her life.

 

 

 

Vicky’s Genealogy

Counity	unty California, USA
Victorine married (1) Nathan Potter; (2) Wad H. Lederer; and (3) George LaMonte, also known as George C. Tobey. For Victorine’s first husband, see “New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940,” database, _FamilySearch_ (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24QC-9V5), Nathan Potter and Victorine Florsheim, 3 September 1915; citing New York City, Manhattan Borough, marriage certificate 21008 (1915); Municipal Archives, Manhattan, New York; microfilm 1,614,225, Family History Library (FHL), Salt Lake City, Utah. For her second husband, see “Marriage Licenses,” _Yonkers Stateman_, Yonkers, N.Y., 8 July 1928, page 6 [?], col. 1., entry for “Ward H. Lederer, 29, of 335 West 51st Street, New York, and Victorine Potter, 23, of 800 Sheridan Avenue, Chicago, Ill.”Family links: Parents: Herman Florsheim (1852 – 1924) Cora Schmulen Florsheim (1864 – 1936)Spouses: Nathan Dumont Potter (1893 – 1934) Ward Henry Lederer (1891 – 1967) George Campbell LaMonte (1902 – 1964)Siblings: Lee Florsheim (1886 – 1944)* Victorine Florsheim LaMonte (1890 – 1971) Etta Florsheim (1891 – 1892)* Lucille Florsheim Hirschfield (1895 – 1981)* Francis Foster Florsheim (1905 – 1985)**<span class="fakeLink" style="color:#000088;text-decoration:underline;" title="header=[  Reverse Relationships:] body=[This relationship was not directly added to this memorial. Rather, it is calculated based on information added to the related person’s memorial. For example: if Joe Public is linked to Jane Public as a spouse, a reciprocal link will automatically be added to Jane Public’s memorial. ] fade=[on] fadespeed=[.09]”>Calculated relationship
Burial: Greenwood Memorial Park San Diego San Diego County California, USA Plot: Bible Mausoleum, Garden Level, Holy Sepulcher Niches, Unit 2
Created by: CemeteryRose Record added: Dec 15, 2015 Find A Grave Memorial# 156072795