Tess Shirer was William's wife. She traveled around Europe with her husband, making their home in whatever place he was assigned until she became pregnant in 1937. While pregnant, Tess remained on the French Riviera. The couple's daughter, Eileen, was born in Vienna, just before they moved to Geneva. Tess remained in Geneva until October 1940, when she left Switzerland for the United States.
Berlin Diary; the Journal of a Foreign Correspondent