Pary Williamson and Quinn Bradlee: The wedding, at last

Seen the wedding announcement in the New York Times?

By the time you read this, Josiah Quinn Crowninshield Bradlee and Pary Anbaz-Williamson may actually be man and wife. The wedding was set for today at the Washington National Cathedral (mentioned in The Solomon Scandals, complete with a moon-rock reference).

He has worked on videos and a recent HBO documentary on learning disabilities, and she is a yoga instructor and private personal trainer; but, of course, there is a lot more to this story than careers and accompanying challenges.

imageFor latecomers, Quinn is the son of Washington Post writer and socialite Sally Quinn and Watergate editor Ben Bradlee. Ms. Anbaz-Williamson’s father, we learn through the Times, was an officer in the pre-revolution Iranian air force. I don’t know either groom or bride; but from afar, my best wishes to the couple and their families, including Cheryl Osgood  (Ms. Williamson-Anbaz’s mother) and Mozaffar Anbaz (her father).

imageThe Solomon Scandals novel is in part about D.C. values and culture, mostly the scary side. But in the treatment of young Quinn by his parents, we see some very non-fictitious positives.

Sally Quinn, as his writings make obvious, placed him ahead of her career despite the many challenges from his medical condition and related learning disabilities. And Ben Bradlee did far more than most fathers would have in his situation.

I doubt that many among the D.C. Power People would have shown the same love, devotion and sustained aplomb.

imageMs. Quinn is not without flaws, as the dueling weddings controversy once again reminded us. But I find it distasteful that her detractors so often have struck back at her through insulting references to Quinn.

Well, enough of that. Congratulations to all!

Update, 2:40 p.m.: It’ll be fascinating to see how the Washington Post handles this story. Two factors, among others: (1) the need not to overdo coverage even if Quinn is the son of two Post legends and (2) the desire to get over the dueling weddings controversy. I do think Quinn Bradlee merits more than just a few paragraphs of coverage based in part on his good works in the fight against velocardiofacial syndrome. He could easily have just coasted along on his parents’ wealth and fame. Some say the New York Times underplayed the announcement.


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David Rothman

11 thoughts on “Pary Williamson and Quinn Bradlee: The wedding, at last

  1. i just want to thank you for mentioning vcfs… aka 22q11.2, digeorge syndrome, shprintzen syndrome, etc etc. my 20 year old daughter also has this syndrome, and it does not get enough widespread notice. hopefully, due to quinn, as well as to ryan dempster’s (chicago cubbs) young daughter riley, the public will become much more aware and educated about this very common (1 in 2-3000 people) genetic disorder. thanks again for mentioning it. and please make reference to it as often as you can, whenever you can, so that the syndrome gets in the forefront of the public’s eye.

  2. You’re very welcome. This is one more reason for the Post to do more in-depth coverage–especially since generic issues arise about people with learning disabilities. Parents and son have been great role models in many ways. Quinn is lucky to have been born well off, but many readers of more modest means can relate to the Bradlees’ experiences. Meanwhile the very best of luck to you and your daughter!

  3. What happened to the baby? When is it due?
    And yes, Quinn’s issues are genetically linked.

  4. documenting his efforts to overcome velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS), a genetically linked syndrome identified by Dr. Robert Shprintzen.

  5. Or had an abortion. Bringing another kid with these problemsinto the world was a bad idea.

  6. We don’t know what happened. Far more constructive to think about solutions—such as fund-raising for related medical research—than to speculate. DR

  7. Belindie I have vcfs like Quinn and bringing another child into this world is NOT a bad idea especially since we never know IF we will pass it. Yes there is a 50 percent chance but even if my baby has it I still wouldn’t abort. Vcfs ranges from mild to severe. You aren’t always guaranteed a healthy baby anyways and that was ignorant of u to say .

  8. Thank god there are still many people like Sally Quinn and myself…unfortunately, people who share your opinion are far to common in this dysfunctional world. Unfortunately, Kim IS correct about the ignorance that people like you and Belindie display. People who have this syndrome are VERY genuine, and more often than not, very happy and pure of soul….despite being severely or mildly affected. So, this is one argument against terminating the pregnancy… This world is overrun with too many dysfunctionally prejudiced people. So, contrary to what you guys are saying, maybe more women should try to determine which babies will grow up to be THAT kind of person, and abort the clueless “disabled” person. Know what I’m sayin’???As far as I am concerned, the world would be so much better off filled with people with VCFS, than to be filled with( as it is now), sick, mundicidal people, living in their own myopic microcosm. And, for the information of those very pitiable people, there are many people with VCFS who are extremely talented. For instance…musician Eamon Anderson and Todd Simpson. Look them up and listen to their amazing talent. And then there is Tessa Koller, fashion designer. There are also many others who excel far beyond what you “normal” people could ever convince.
    It really is a sad world when people Like you come to a conclusion like what you already have. I really wonder what kind of an upbringing you had. Seems like it Couldn’t have been very worldly or nurturing. if it had been, you would be broad minded and compassionate. I’m really sorry for your loss. Oh, wait a minute…you can’t lose what you never had.
    So remember, next time you are pregnant, maybe you should think about aborting your baby because The chance that you will bring one more self involved, materialistic person into this world, is much higher than the 50/50 chance that someone with VCFS would bring another child with VCFS into the same world.
    Just imagine how much better the world would be if more genuine, caring, happy people were born. People CAN be happy living just a comfortable existence. Think about it.
    [Note: The writer is apparently directing her remarks at other commenters. My post actually was sympathetic toward Quinn. – D.R.]

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