Las Madrinas Has a Ball Launching 1989 Group of Debutantes

It was the year “Gone With the Wind” premiered in Hollywood, New York had its World Fair and Sinatra joined Harry James’ band.

And, in 1939, Las Madrinas introduced a new tradition for the city--its debutante ball to benefit Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. The ball remains the godmother of debutante balls in Los Angeles, and there was little doubt Thursday evening that the white-tie affair attended by more than 950 at the Beverly Hilton was the premiere night of the Christmas season.

Thirty-three debutantes holding wreaths of spruce and lilies bowed in a room bedecked with Walter Hubert’s gilded nut topiaries and spruce topiaries glistening with golden apples and pine cones. The stage glowed with flocked trees dancing with white lights. The debs paraded before proud friends and families and curtsied to Las Madrinas president Sally Keon and her husband, Joseph.

Over the years, 1,500 young women have been launched into adulthood in the same ritual, one that begins with pomp, but establishes a family’s respect for the legacy of community involvement, not the least of which is financial commitment. Last year’s ball netted $500,000. Proceeds this year will benefit molecular pathology.

Tradition was everywhere. Among debutantes were Maureen Brady, a great-grandniece of the late Mrs. Thomas (Catherine) Dockweiler, founding member of Las Madrinas (Maureen’s grand-aunt, Julia Stearns Dockweiler, was in the audience); and Karye Luppen, great-granddaughter of a founder, the late Mrs. Thomas C. (Grace) Ridgeway. Two others--Emilie Terry and Jody Young--both wore the dresses that their mothers, Carole Cosgrove Terry and the late Gretchen Roethke Young, had worn when they were Las Madrinas debs.

Catherine Gibbs was the fifth daughter of George and Gretchen Gibbs to be presented. Maura Shea was the fourth of John and Dorothy Shea’s daughters to bow. Two of Maura’s first cousins--Ellen Shea and Shauna Robinson--also were debs this year.

Colleen McCarthy was the first deb to be announced by Peter Reich. Her mother, Kathleen McCarthy, is a former Las Madrinas president.

With elaborate staging by David Balfour, who had instructed the girls and their fathers earlier in the fine points of the waltz, more debs followed: Jennifer Webb, Anne-Elizabeth Niblo, Caroline McIntyre, Lauren Kass, Alexandra Andros, Michelle Mapel, Bridget O’Keefe, Elizabeth Chandler, Katherine Colborn, Heather Dalley, Kimberly Griff, Jacqueline Stinehart, Wendy Judd, Erin Crockwell, Joanna Kangas, Catherine Baker, Patricia Popovich, Katrina Mielke, Victoria Schreiber, Patricia Eastman, Elizabeth Grossman and Jennifer Given.

At least two of the young ladies came from out of town. Alison Inch was in from Sun Valley, Ida., to be presented by her stepfather, Peter Smith, and Julie Jacques, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Reeve James Jacques and grandaughter of Harry Volk, came from La Jolla to be presented by her uncle, Robert Volk.

Playing nonstop, New York orchestra leader Michael Carney with Los Angeles vocalist Colleen Casey kept the dance floor jumping all night, the better to show off some of the most beautiful gowns and jewels to be displayed this season.

Ball chairman Nancy Birdwell accepted congratulations for the successful evening, and when she wasn’t nearby, her husband, James, acknowledged for her.

Among Christmas revelers were Santa Barbara’s Virgina Tuttle, Bob and Donna Tuttle, Dennis and Linda Vaughn, Emily Peck and Dr. Franklin and Judith Murphy.

Las Madrinas members hosting tables included Ann (stunning in a 1953 Pedro Rodriquez beaded black gown) and Douglas Longyear.

Others were Steve and Jane Ackerman, William and Susan Armistead, Olin and Ann Barrett, William and Susan Hull, Russell and Carlotta Keely, August and Martyn Belmont, Dr. Richard and Nancy Call, Terry and Larry Bucher, Michelle Crahan with Donald Hoffman, Janet Davidson with Richard Plat, Craig and Jane Gosden, Weta and Allen Mathies, Peter and Joan Eichler, Douglas and Eunice Goodan, Peter and Kacey McCoy, Henry and Nancy De Nero.

Former deb Sarah Keller flew in to be escorted by George Hotaling. Newlyweds Carrie and Peter Tilton were in the young crowd. And a flock of escorts and stags, including Stender Sweeney, Michael Baker, Taylor Browning, Stephen Keller, Mark McClure, Lowry Smith, Taylor Clyne, Schuyler Hollingsworth and Don Liebig kept the night lively.

George Barrett and Tom Laine arrived with their wives--Jane and Camie respectively--well-tanned and bearded. That’s because the men had flown in that day after weathering six weeks sailing the Atlantic from the Canary Islands.