(CNN) -- New Yorkers feasted on the stories when the news broke in 2006: Brooke Astor, a socialite and megaphilanthropist with Alzheimer's, had allegedly been swindled of millions and mistreated by her own son.



Brooke Astor and grandson Philip Marshall outside her New York country estate, Holly Hill, in 2001 or 2002.



Anthony "Tony" Marshall, her only child, was indicted on criminal charges including grand larceny, possession of stolen property, forgery and conspiracy.



Jury selection for the criminal trial was scheduled to begin Monday. But co-defendant Francis Morrissey's attorney filed an 11th-hour motion to sever his client's trial from Marshall's.



The motion was denied late Friday, and a new trial date has been set for March 2. Morrissey, Marshall's former lawyer, faces charges including forgery and scheming to defraud.



A lawyer representing Marshall, Fred Hafetz, would say only that there would be "no plea" and that he hopes his client will "be vindicated."  Watch author Meryl Gordon discuss the case »



The trial is likely to resuscitate the tabloid feeding frenzy, which has fostered headlines such as "Bad heir day," "Mrs. Astor's disaster" and "DA's kick in the Astor."



It's not the way those closest to Astor want to remember her. And the disclosures expected to spill forth from the witness stand aren't the type that Astor, who died in August 2007 at 105, would want shared in public.



"She would have been mortified," said Vartan Gregorian, a longtime friend and president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York. "She was very private."



Through her late husband's Vincent Astor Foundation, Astor was credited with giving New York, where the Astors made their fortune, about $200 million. And although she felt it was expected of her to be proper and elegant, Gregorian said, her wealth didn't define her.



Talk of money, real estate and other people's misfortunes were off-limits at her dinner parties, he said. "She was not ostentatious. ... She was very funny, very witty and very caring."



When a would-be robber accosted her, she foiled the holdup attempt with this response: " 'Excuse me. My name is Mrs. Astor. I don't think we've been properly introduced,' " Gregorian remembered with a laugh.



For 23 years, Linda Gillies directed the Astor Foundation and witnessed her hands-on approach to doing good -- not just for her "crown jewels," which included the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New York Public Library, but also for lower-profile programs.



Astor was often quoted as saying, "Money is like manure; it's not worth a thing unless it's spread around." But for her, again, it wasn't just about the money.



Betty Cooper Wallerstein, a community organizer who benefited from Astor's help in saving 2,500 low-income apartments on Manhattan's Upper East Side, described Astor as being equally comfortable mingling with tenants as she was in high society.



She remembered attending Astor's 90th birthday party and being struck by the diversity of the crowd waiting to get inside. Around her were elected officials, the social elite, big names such as Henry Kissinger as well as Astor's staff members and activists such as herself.



"She was as lovely to me as she was to the dignitaries who were there," Wallerstein said. "It was such a beautiful and democratic line."



Many close friends and staff members would not speak to CNN, as they will be testifying in the trial or will be involved in a later suit to contest Astor's will, which her son is said to have changed. But those who did speak were quick to share memories they'll always hold dear.



The tears came quickly when Carmine Fasciani, 73, remembered Astor.



The one-time police detective sergeant, whom Astor always called Sergeant, said he handled security and later served as the full-time head of staff at
Who is accused of swindling millions? what illness did his mom have? Who gave $200 million to city? Who's criminal trial begins soon? how much has the foundation given? Who is socialite ? who's son is on trial? What is Tony Marshall charged with? How much did Brooke Astor's foundation donate to the city?
Anthony "Tony" Marshall, Alzheimer's, Vincent Astor Foundation, Anthony "Tony" Marshall, about $200 million. Brooke Astor, Brooke Astor, grand larceny, possession of stolen property, forgery and conspiracy. $200 million.
question: Who is accused of swindling millions?, answer: Anthony "Tony" Marshall, | question: what illness did his mom have?, answer: Alzheimer's, | question: Who gave $200 million to city?, answer: Vincent Astor Foundation, | question: Who's criminal trial begins soon?, answer: Anthony "Tony" Marshall, | question: how much has the foundation given?, answer: about $200 million. | question: Who is socialite ?, answer: Brooke Astor, | question: who's son is on trial?, answer: Brooke Astor, | question: What is Tony Marshall charged with?, answer: grand larceny, possession of stolen property, forgery and conspiracy. | question: How much did Brooke Astor's foundation donate to the city?, answer: $200 million.