M'Liss Crotty Chapman

On April 5, 2024, M’Liss Crotty Chapman passed away. She was born in New York City but attended schools in Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Switzerland. By the time she was five years old she had visited Bermuda with her mother multiple times which began her lifelong love of all things British.

Her careers in New York spanned from being a magazine editor, interior decorator to Personal Assistant to John Gutfreund, Chairman of Salomon Brothers, and thence assistant to society entertainer Alex Donner. She and her international set of friends frequented all the smart clubs of the day and she had her wedding reception to Courtland Chapman at her favorite, the famous “21” club. Nothing like a good, albeit expensive, hamburger with her Veuve Clicot!

M'Liss loved beautiful things and made a study of fine furniture, beautiful jewelry, and everything Hermes. She became quite an expert and collected pieces that gave her home the sensation of “old England”, full of warmth, colour and comfort the requisite bits of dog hair. During the winter months in front of the fire she would create a salon of “leftovers” from Watch Hill that didn’t fly south. There, every and all subjects were discussed to no end, but everyone had a great time.

She enjoyed bargaining and trading with jewelers for her beautiful, signed pieces which she loved wearing. Her ruby ring, ruby nails, Hermes scarf and quick wit were her personal signature.
A political maven, she was heavily involved with Governor Lincoln Almond’s election, a Rhode Island elector during the Bush years and was a conscientious participant with Westerly’s politics.

Before she ran her antique shop in Watch Hill she started a social directory for Weekapaug, Watch Hill and Stonington. It was a huge task that she loved. M’Liss had a remarkable memory for names and people’s genealogy (both historical and present) which served her well with this effort.

Her world travels as friend and companion to Rebekah Harkeness, philanthropist, and founder of The Harkness Ballet, and later with Rebekah’s daughter Terry took her far and wide with adventures that would make for a wonderful hilarious book.

She played backgammon with the best international set and attended Ascot in the royal box; but she never forgot the people who helped her create her lovely surroundings. Be it politician, prince, or plumber she made friends with all.

During her years living in Avondale, she had a series of schipperke dogs, a breed her father was first gifted by Cole Porter. Aside from her English sheep dog Fred, who lived with her in New York, it was the breed she loved most. They brought her laughter, comfort, and aggravation, but she was totally devoted to them.

Her life was like most with its ups and downs, but she always put on a smile and “stiff upper lip.” She often would say, “I would go out of my mind if I didn’t have my sense of humour.” Her wit, life stories and love of bringing people together will be sorely missed.

She was a member of the Social Register Association, The Watch Hill Yacht Club and the Sloane Club in London.

Funeral services will be held at a later date.

For online condolences, please visit www.buckler-johnston.com