IngridVAN WAGNERIngrid Fromen Van Wagner, was born 19th August, 1941 in New York City, and passed 12th April, 2026 at St. Thomas' Hospital, London.
Granddaughter of storied adventurer Lt Col Holman James, known by his stage name Fred Lindsay, and daughter of Joan James and Gunnar Fromen of British and Swedish origin respectively.
During her early childhood in Westchester County, NY, Ingrid focused on many activities including ballet and diving before transforming into a statuesque, strawberry blonde head-turner who was noted for her beauty and poise.
Ingrid spent her youth between New York and Puerto Rico, before attending boarding school at Stuart Hall in Virginia. Upon graduating in 1959, she attended Stetson University in Florida where she met J. Paul Cheek Jr. and became a young Navy wife. With her husband away at sea, she continued her education, eventually completing her B.A. in Education from the University of North Carolina in 1965. Her proudest accomplishments from this time were her two daughters, Lisa and Samantha.
While her first marriage proved untenable, her second, of over 50 years, flourished until the end. After meeting Ingrid on a blind date in London, Jack Van Wagner swept her off her feet and across the globe. Together they lived in the USA, UK, Pakistan, Singapore, Indonesia, Turkey and the UAE. There in Abu Dhabi during the 1980s, Ingrid founded a boutique printing business, eventually grossing more at the time than her husband.
And no matter where they lived temporarily, Ingrid called Kensington & Chelsea home, always owning a residence in the borough where her heart eternally resides.
A true Leo, Kings Road was her catwalk where she expressed her polished, sometimes quirky, yet carefully cultivated and refined sense of style. She loved nothing better than gliding along on a sunny day to see and be seen.
Enormous importance was given to building and sustaining family ties across multi-continental separations. Ingrid enjoyed her status as matriarch of an internationally diasporic family spread across North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania.
Ingrid was a charming extrovert with a curious and sincere interest in people. Her wide circle of friends was as eclectic as she was and she warmed to everyone like family.
She held very high personal standards and believed wholeheartedly in PPA days (if you know, you know).
Health, fitness and medical advancements were keen interests. Ingrid was dedicated to her Pilates, walking and personal training sessions. She shared her knowledge and genuinely wanted everyone to live their longest and best life possible.
An ardent and passionate enthusiast of culture and art, Ingrid's career included working in PR at Warner Brothers Studios, within commercial galleries, and as an independent artists' agent. She was a long-standing member of the Chelsea Arts Club.
Ingrid is survived by husband Jack, daughters Lisa (Chris) and Samantha (Roby), step-son Christopher (Jodi), nephew Ashaman (Pastora), nieces Courtney (James) and Blake (Sandy), her younger brothers Erik and Gunnar (Pat) and her beloved rescued pomapoo, Howard.
Ingrid, we remember you with fondest love and gentle grace.
Keep me informed of updates
