She was born on February 19, 1920, in Boston, Massachusetts to Vivian Hervey Wessell and Alexander Lynde Cochrane, an investment banker who belonged to a family of Boston Brahmins. Her brother called her Sissy, and she transformed that into C.Z.[2] She had two sisters, Nancy (née Cochrane) Palmer of Johns Island, Florida and Jean "Neenie" (née Cochrane) Cameron Welch of Knockbrack Grange, near Oldcastle in County Meath, Ireland.
In 1937, she was presented as a debutante and, in 1939, she was voted the "Glamor Girl of the Massachusetts North Shore in a beauty contest which prompted her to have a stint as a showgirl.[3] She dabbled in acting, including an appearance in the Ziegfeld Follies in 1944.
In 1985, she designed a small fashion collection consisting mainly of cashmere sweaters that was introduced at a show of the Cuban-born American designer Adolfo, well known for dressing Nancy Reagan and Babe Paley. In 1986, she expanded her design work to include a limited line of sportswear sold under license, and, in 1990, she came out with a fragrant insect repellent and other garden merchandise.[7]
Death
Guest died on November 8, 2003, in Old Westbury, New York, at the age of 83, as a friend was driving her to the hospital after she experienced breathing difficulties at home.[2]
^ abc"C. Z. Guest, N.Y. Socialite, Dies at 83". Associated Press. November 11, 2003. Retrieved April 5, 2011. CZ Guest, a gardening columnist and fixture of New York society, died Saturday at her home in Old Westbury, NY. She was an enthusiastic ...