Leonora Pickering Prowell

Leonora Pickering Prowell, always and fondly known as Missy, died peacefully in New York City on April 26, 2025, age 77, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her brother, William Parsons Prowell, and was predeceased by her brother, Richard Pickering Prowell, Jr. Also surviving her are her nieces: Elizabeth Mitchell, Eleanor Prowell, and Ann Reihmann, and a nephew, Tyler Prowell.

She was born in New York City to her parents, Richard Pickering Prowell and Leonora Parsons Prowell in 1948. She attended the Spence School, Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, CT and Barnard College. In her youth, she was very athletic. Missy and her family were long-time members of the Figure Skating Club of New York and she competed with the Club in figure skating competitions in the United States. Whilst in college she began her first career, as a fashion model. So, off to Paris where she became a French citizen and successfully pursued her modeling career with the Paris-Planning Model Agency making appearances in Vogue Paris, Elle, Femme Chic and others. Missy adored Paris but New York City remained her first love. She returned to New York and continued her modeling career with the Eileen Ford Agency appearing in Mademoiselle, Town & Country, Glamour and Harper’s Bazaar. Her modeling career afforded her the opportunity to travel the world making countless lifelong friends along the way. After retiring from modeling she pursued a career with Grey Advertising in New York.

Missy had a keen and discerning eye for people, places and objects of fine art. Her many friends were deeply affected by her kindness, generosity, and warmth. She told enthralling stories and was always steeped in the knowledge of the latest and greatest places to visit in the City including restaurants, clubs, shows, and art exhibits. She was great fun and ever prepared for the next urban adventure. She was a longtime member and a Board Member of the Paris American Club, a longtime member of the Colony Club in keeping with family tradition and was otherwise a stalwart and active patron of the arts and culture.

Missy is and will be missed terribly by her many, many friends from around the world and by her family.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the late afternoon of September 25 in New York City and a Burial of Ashes is set for Hadlyme, Connecticut on September 27. For details please see below.

Memorial contributions in her memory may be directed to NYU Langone Health.