Beebe Callahan Gregoire passed away on January 8, 2026, one day after celebrating her 94th birthday. Born in Montpelier, Vt., on January 7, 1932, to Edwin and Dorothy Callahan, Beebe was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
After her devoted husband, Donald, passed away in 1997, she lived on her own for the first time in her life, managing her home independently and life with determination. While she tackled many of her home repairs, she needed to be convinced to stop climbing trees for limbing or ladders for gutter cleaning!
She also loved safer activities like sewing play clothes for her kids and baking chocolate chip cookies and apple pies. She and Donald were talented “do it yourselfers” and always were ready with a hammer and paintbrush as the children and later grandchildren began living in their own homes.
Beebe had beautiful gardens and shared many perennials with friends and family over the years. She could work in her garden for hours. Anyone who knew Beebe well knew that weeds, especially creeping Charlie, were the bane of her existence. She found boundless joy in creating those beautiful gardens but only recently downsized to prolific window boxes.
Beebe and her son, James, were loyal Celtics fans. During games, they could be heard jumping and shouting when the team was winning. In addition to being a devoted Celtics fan, she was very proud of her Irish heritage. Her home was decorated with little shamrocks, Irish blessings and quotes throughout. She grew nostalgic when she heard the old Irish ballads such as “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.”
Beebe’s love of music extended through many genres. She was fond of opera, especially Luciano Pavarotti. His “Nessun dorma” was her favorite song, both to listen to as well as to conduct from her armchair. Music moved her and made her happy all of her life and through her final days.
While she cherished all of her children, she had an unbreakable bond with her son, James. In recent months, her dementia began to cloud her sign language or finger spelling skills. Simply holding hands became enough.
Beebe showed much love for the partners her children brought into our lives. Jon Nealy, Kevin Gilbert and Doug Millette were much loved and like her sons. She is survived by her children, Marianne (Jon Nealy), Laurie (Kevin Gilbert), Barbara Gregoire and James Gregoire. Her grandchildren, Allyson Shaloohey (Sebastian Bariteau), Derek Gilbert, Lauren Nealy (Lucas McLean) and Jacob Nealy. Her great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Clara Bariteau, Joseph and Lacey Gilbert, and Tully McLean. She is survived by her brother Ed Callahan of Peterborough, N.H., and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Donald; brother Richard Callahan and his wife, Gerry; sister-in-law Theresa; and friend Doug Millette. The family would like to thank hospice staff for their knowledgeable, kind and loving support. We are grateful for each of the nurses and caregivers at Our Lady of Providence Residential Care, who cared for Beebe like loving family.
A graveside service will be held on May 16 at 11 a.m. at Fairview Cemetery in Essex Junction. A reception will follow the interment, with details to come. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to a charity of your choice or to UVM Home Health & Hospice, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT 05446.