Do you use the husbands first name or the wifes first name when addressing a letter only to the wife?

* Not in all cases. Sometimes the widow will only go under her Christian name (Example: Jane) or, some widows prefer to be addressed as Mrs. John Doe or Mrs. Jane Doe. There are, in some cases (rare) that widows will take on their maiden name. To address an envelope it is best to put: Ms. Jane Doe (if younger) or, if elderly write Mrs. J. Doe.