Mamie Geneva Doud Eisenhower ( November 14 , 1896 - November 1 , 1979 ) was the wife of General Dwight D. Eisenhower , the President of the United States . She acted as the First Lady of the United States from 1953 to 1961 . Mary Geneva Doud `` Mamie '' Eisenhower ( November 14 , 1896 â `` November 1 , 1979 ) was the wife of President Dwight D. Eisenhower , and First Lady of the United States from 1953 to 1961 .