Addressing a letter

[Hillbeans]

Is it proper ettiquete to address a letter to a widow as Mrs. Jane Doe, or do you put Ms. Jane Doe?

I think it's the first one, but i'm just not sure.

Thanks.

 

[Barb D]

Personally, I just address it on the envelope to "Jane Doe." If I know her on a first name basis, I start the letter "Dear Jane". Otherwise if I know her preferred title I use it (Dear Miss Doe, Dear Mrs. Doe, Dear Ms. Doe, Dear Dr. Doe...) If I don't know her preferred title, I use Ms.

ETA: I just re-read your post. If it's an elderly widow, I would use her husband's first name (Mrs. John Doe.) I can't stand that convention myself, but it's what was and is considered polite by that generation.

 

[Sirius]

You are always safe with Ms

 

[sweet angel]

I believe either:
Mrs. John Doe or
Mrs. Jane Doe
would be correct. Just because her husband is dead, doesn't make it any less her husband. It's a respect issue.

 

[NMAmy]

I'd go with Mrs. myself.

 

[Kermit]

It's Mrs. John Doe. Mrs. Jane Doe (or Ms. Jane Doe) means she's divorced.

 

[mickeyfan2]

It's Mrs. John Doe. Mrs. Jane Doe (or Ms. Jane Doe) means she's divorced.

Actually Ms. can be used by all women just like Mr. can be used by all men. It is a more modern term and usually not used by the older generation. For an elderly women I would always use Mrs. Many women that I now in their 60s and 70s go by Mrs. Jane Doe and they are still married and he is still with us.

 

[safetymom]

I go by Mrs. and I am a widow. Also not in my 60's or 70's.

 

[Pam]

I always address my correspondence to Mrs. Jane Doe.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Always use Mrs. for a widow

 

[MerryPoppins]

My mom's a widow and she prefers Mrs.

 

[dizluvr71]

Always use Mrs. for a widow also. Plus for the older generation the proper way is to use Mrs. John Doe.

 

[Hillbeans]

I'm addressing two cards, one is to a widow in her 30's and one in her 50's.

I'll use Mrs. Jane Doe then -