Margaret Carlisle Chapman

Margaret Carlisle Chapman
Margaret Carlisle Chapman, of Anna Maria, FL, died on November 4, 2025, at the age of 101.
Born March 2, 1924, the only child of Paul and Norene Carlisle, Margaret grew up in Niagara Falls, NY, and graduated from the University of Michigan.
She married Forrest Chapman in 1947. Through his work with the DuPont company, they lived in Bogota, Colombia and San Juan, Puerto Rico, before returning to Wilmington, DE in 1965.
Margaret's parents retired to Anna Maria in 1950 and bought the Anna Maria Motel, which was the first motel on the island. Paul was elected Mayor of Anna Maria.
In 1980, Margaret retired to Anna Maria and continued to run the motel after her parents passed away. She remodeled the motel in the early 1980's, and finally sold it in 1989.
Besides running the motel business, Margaret was an active volunteer at the Island Chamber of Commerce and the Anna Maria Island Historical Society. She was a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Theta women's fraternity, an inactive member of the daughters of the American Revolution, and a member of Roser Memorial Church.
Margaret's family will always cherish the many memories we have of vacationing on the island. Four generations enjoyed adventures both at the motel, and later at her precious little house on Bean Point.
Margaret is survived by her daughter Sherry Grizzel (Ralph) of Hockessin, DE, daughter Chris (Dee) of Bradenton, FL, son Jeff of Elkton, MD, and son Scott (Lesli) of Atlanta, GA, and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wildlife, Inc., 2207 Avenue B, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217, or Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch (AMITW), P.O. Box 1114, Holmes Beach, FL 34218.
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209, is in charge of arrangements. Services and burial will be private. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Margaret, please visit our Tree Store.